View report page

129
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE.
Report of the Senior Dental Surgeon, Mr. P. G. Oliver.
The above Service deals chiefly with the routine inspection
and treatment of those attending Borough Primary, Secondary,
Technical and Special Schools. "Free-place" scholars at certain
non-maintained schools approved by the local Education Committee
are also eligible for treatment.
In addition to the above, facilities are also provided for those
referred under Maternity and Child Welfare and Mental
Deficiency Schemes. Particulars of work carried out in connection
with the former will be found in the appropriate Report.
Staffing.
Though more children than ever before visited the local
clinics there has been an appreciable loss of ground by the Service
during the year, and a consequent slowing down of "routine"
treatment.
This recession has been caused by the increased time
required for dealing with "emergency" and other "priority" cases,
together with the overall rise in the school population. As a
result fewer schools were visited and the time lag between inspections
has increased; in extreme cases this has now extended
beyond the two year period, whilst the average interval is in the
region of 18 months. Because of their cumulative effect recent
delays must further prejudice the position of those at present
awaiting attention, and generally reduce the effectiveness of treatment.
Though full time staff is still in short supply there has been
a noticeable increase in offers of part-time assistance from outS|de
practitioners. Unfortunately, such help has been somewhat
'imited in scope and duration, and because of a continued lack
of surgery accommodation no major increase of personnel has
been possible.
Apart from the promotion of one part-time dentist to whole
time status the total staff, equivalent to that of six full-time officers,
remained approximately the same as in the previous year.