View report page

15
Measures now being taken to acquaint teaching staff of the
relevant facts concerning dental decay will,it is hoped,make
clear the potential dangers of the present situation.
If these sales are to continue,consumption of toffee and
sweets should certainly be banned and other items dispensed
should be of a less injurious character. It has been suggested
that biscuits could be replaced by potato crisps and salted
nuts; when practical the sale of fresh fruit would be definitely
beneficial. In addition to the above precautions,pupils should
be encouraged to rinse the mouth vigorously with water before
returning to class.
As a matter of urgency first priority continues to be extended
to the New Addington Estate,which has sadly lacked
adequate facilities in the past. The remodelling of the School
Clinic at the Overbury School is now virtually complete and will
allow a full range of treatment. The introduction of a second
surgery to deal with those attending schools in the Castle Hill
area is fulfilling a long felt want,and though there is still
some back log of work,most of the major Departments were
inspected during the year.
Special efforts have also been made to deal with the large
build up of Senior and Grammar Schools in the Shirley district.
Along with other measures there has been an extensive regrouping
of all Departments served by the Shirley Road Centre,which it is hoped will lead to more effective use of available
resources.
In spite of the very genuine improvement which has been
possible for selected areas,difficulties in staffing present a
recurrent problem,and because of a further reduction in the
sessions available from Part-time Dentists and the prolonged
absence through illness of another Officer,coverage for the
Borough as a whole has been disappointing,and the number of
schools unvisited during the year has increased appreciably.
Difficulties are still being experienced in acquiring new
premises in South Croydon to replace the existing Surgery at the
Waldrons Hall. Because of lack of space it has not been found
possible to include a clinic as part of any of the proposed
schools in the neighbourhood. Unless a solution can be found
before the present building has to be vacated,treatment for all
children in this area will of necessity have to be conducted
from Lodge Road Dental Centre. Whilst this would mean an increase
in travelling time,it would be preferable to any arrangement
of a make-shift nature likely to be possible in this
district.