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DENTAL SERVICE
Mr. W.G. Everett, Principal School Dental Officer
Inspections
Inspections in schools have always been an integral part of the
duties of a dental officer. From these visits parents are made aware of
their children's needs, and if detected in its early stages, caries is more
easily treated and lasting results obtained. The fact that of children
first inspected during the year 46.9% had active dental decay, and of
those re-inspected after an earlier course of treatment 47.5% needed
further attention, confirms that regular visits are essential in order to
maintain a high standard of dental fitness.
At school inspections, if a child is thought to be in need of treatment
the parents are advised of the fact. They may elect to attend a
general dental practitioner, or accept the offer of treatment within the
School Dental Service. By the introduction of a revised consent form, it
has been possible this year to differentiate numerically between those
attending private practitioners and those refusing all treatment.
During the year 78.6% of the school population was inspected. 5,524
of those found to require treatment requested appointments at the school
dental centres. This figure shows an improvement of 1,426 on the number
received in 1965.