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131
A programme for improving surgery amenities and equipment
has been commenced during the year and will be progressively
extended to include all existing clinics. Shadowless
operating lights have been installed in two surgeries which will
materially reduce eye strain to both dentist and patient.
An experiment to test certain new forms of surgery illumination
is being carried out at the New Addington Clinic and
should also assist in this respect.
Visits paid by Representatives of the Ministries of Health
and Education have, as usual, been most helpful in formulating
future policy and clarifying certain aspects of administration.
Inspections.
The number of children on the register at Primary and Secondary
Schools withi'n the Borough at the close of 1952 was
33,133. Including an additional 109 free-place scholars at r.onmaintained
schools, this represents a sum total of 33,242.
During the year 63.4 per cent, of the school population were
examined, compared with 78.5 per cent, in 1951, showing a
reduction of 15.1 per cent. As stated previously this was in fact
due to the larger number requiring to be seen and also the inability
of existing staff to keep abreast of treatment.
Because of these handicaps some 8,900 children received no
examination and schools can now only be revisited on an average
every 18 to 20 months, compared with 15 to 18 months previously.
At those schools visited 20,996 were inspected and 10,723 (51
per cent.) referred for treatment, compared with 24,961 inspected
and 12,960 (51.3 per cent.) referred in 1951.
In view of present limitations relating to work which can be
carried out on temporary teeth, the above figures should not be
regarded as an index of the incidence of decay, which is naturally
appreciably higher. For practical purposes mouths are classed
as "healthy" unless the case is actually referred for treatment.