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110
When deductions are made for Maternity and Child Welfare
work present commitments entail a potential "panel" of some
6,700 children to each full-time dentist. With the existing acceptance
rate of 74 per cent. this state of affairs involves an unduly
long period between successive inspections, or a serious curtailment
in the scope of treatment. In practice it is found that,
despite the application of every reasonable compromise, the
average child is lucky to be offered treatment at under an eighteen
months period, compared with the yearly minimum advocated bv
the Ministry. In the face of the rising school population the
difficulties of maintaining an adequate service over the next few
years must inevitably increase.
As a result of the unsatisfactory staffing position it has, unfortunately,
not been possible to proceed with the plan of clinic
development required to serve the more outlying sections of the
Borough. This omission involves much additional time spent
in travelling for patients residing in such areas and also leads to
overcrowding of existing centres.
A angements for Treatment.
In the absence of alternative clinic accommodation the major
portion of treatment continues to be carried out at Lodge Road
clinic, where five surgeries are forced to work in close proximity
to one another. Though with the recent extension these premises
would be capable of dealing with normal requirements, the introduction
of additional part-time staff has created a good deal of
congestion at "peak" periods and a greater degree of decentralisation
is now urgently required. It is hoped that this will be
possible as soon as more outside surgery accommodation is available.
Other dental centres are provided at Duppas Hill (South
Crovdon) and at 206, Selhurst Road. In the case of the latter
clinic a major reconstruction is at present being carried out and
treatment at these premises is due to recommence at an early date.
Additional clinics have been planned for the Woodside area
and the New Addington Housing Estate, as part of the post-war
programme of expansion formulated in 1946. At Addington
suitable premises are available adjoining the existing Welfare
Centre, and it is hoped that conversion will be possible during
the early months of 1951.