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20
Of the 9,803 children not inspected, about 2,500 would be likely to
seek treatment from the dental officers. These will be given priority in
1967 but the aim must continue to be the achievement of at least annual
inspections, with recall examinations at regular intervals for those
already rendered dentally fit. An increase in the amount of treatment
performed and numbers of patients seen, has prevented a greater default
in the pursuance of our statutory duty, but an enlarged dental staff is
essential if the service is to be able to cope with the demands upon it.

* No comparable figures available
Dental Health Education
This is a function which local authority staff, dental, medical and
teaching can perform, which will in time produce an improvement in the
oral health of the community. It is only by preventing the incidence of
dental disease that any permanent reduction in the amount of treatment
necessary can be achieved. The comments in the Maternity and Child
Welfare Dental Report on the consumption of sweets and biscuits in the
home, are equally appropriate for the school child.
During the year students of the Royal Dental Hospital, School of
Dental Hygiene, have visited two schools and have given talks to individual
classes. This has proved beneficial not only for students who get
teaching practice, but also for the dental service in that instruction of
small groups of children is achieved. This would not otherwise have been
possible because of the dental officers' commitments for the treatment
of existing decay. The help and advice of the head teachers concerned
has contributed to the success of this pilot scheme.