View report page

21
DENTAL SERVICE
Mr. W. G. Everett, Principal School Dental Officer
Until quite recently the general public expected, as a normal occurrence,
that middle age would bring the disintegration of their teeth and
gums. The eventual need for artificial teeth was regarded as pre-ordained
It has been said that primitive societies regard certain conditions of ill
health as inevitable, and it is unfortunate that dental diseases which are
a direct result of sophisticated diets associated with increasing affluence,
have been accepted in the same way. The World Health Organisation defines
health as complete mental, physical and social well being, not merely
the absence of disease. By this definition 98% of the population are dentally
ill. There are, however, signs that more young people today are seeking
regular treatment. This is most probably due to the increased availability
of dental care through the National Health Service and the provision of free
dental treatment for children within this and the Local Authority Dental
Service. The idea that dentistry consists mainly of emergency treatment
must be removed from the public mind, and the fact of the undoubted benefits
of regular dental treatment, proper cleaning of the teeth and sensible
restriction of diet, must be stated and repeated so that it is accepted by
all.
The concept of Public Health preventive dentistry is gaining support
within the profession. The most effective method of reducing dental decay
at present known is the fluoridation of the public water supply. It has been
shown in endless series of studies that where one part per million of the
fluoride ion is present in drinking water the prevalence of dental decay is
60% less than in areas where the water is deficient in this natural substance.
It is known that as well as strengthening the growing teeth, existing decay
is delayed and in some cases arrested. One can only hope that general
agreement amongst other authorities will permit the introduction in the near
future of this most valuable dental health measure for the benefit of the
people of Croydon.
During the year students of the Royal Dental Hospital School of Oral
Hygiene have given Dental Health Education talks in primary schools.
Nearly 5,000 children have been instructed at classroom level, with the
minimum of disruption of Headteachers' timetables, and at the same time
keeping the children in small groups. The students' enthusiasm has been
transmitted to the pupils with encouraging results and has favourably impressed
the teaching staff. School inspections make parents aware of
their children's dental defects and not only the School Dental Service but
also the General Dental Practitioners' Service find that numbers of
patients attend only after being seen at school. Annual inspection has not
been achieved and although every effort is made to increase the number of
schools visited, a further addition in staff is essential if the target is to