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118
between successive treatments. The fact that 78 per cent, of the
Primary and Secondary Schools were visited during the year may
be considered a very real achievement. On the debit side it
should be realised that when allowance is made for M. & C. W.
commitments, present staffing still entails a "panel" of approximately
6,000 children per full-time dentist, and except in certain
areas where populations are numerically smaller, this ratio
precludes an annual inspection and treatment. On an average
this period still stands at between sixteen and eighteen months,
but in some cases longer periods must elapse.
Because of successive delays in carrying out the post-war
programme of clinic development, the recent introduction of
numerous sessional workers has led to an acute shortage of
surgery accommodation, resulting in considerable congestion at
Lodge Road Clinic. The existence of this bottleneck precludes
the introduction of any further part-time assistance, and is thus
hampering certain important developments in the Service.
Amongst other difficulties encountered by staff are the very
large number of children showing marked irregularities of the
teeth and jaws. Certain of these cases would appear to be the
direct result of inadequate attention during earlier years, and
present exceedingly difficult problems in the realms of diagnosis
and treatment. Because of the very limited time available for
this work, special measures are needed to deal with these
deformities. A fuller assessment of such requirements is given
in the appropriate section of the Report.
Arrangements for Treatment.
In the absence of alternative clinic accommodation in the
outlying parts of the Borough, the major portion of treatment
continues to be performed at the Central Clinic, Lodge Road.
Here five surgeries are called upon to function in premises
originally planned for three dentists, and congestion is very
severe especially when anaesthetic sessions are in progress.
Whilst the opening of the New Addington Clinic will to some
extent reduce the demands on the above premises, a far greater
degree of decentralisation is called for as soon as present material
and economic restrictions are removed. The provision of a
further Dental Centre is urgently needed to serve the eastern
portion of the Borough including the newly developed Ashburton
Building Estate. In addition to giving added surgery accommodation
such a project would assist in restoring the balance of the
scheme and reducing the time now spent in travelling to and
from the Lodge Road Clinic.