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Staff
During the year the number of Dental Officers remained unaltered,
although there was a small delay between the resignation of two part-time
dental officers and the appointment of a full-time dental officer to take
their place.
The principal school dental officer had commenced his duties as an
honorary demonstrator in the children's department of the Royal Dental
Hospital in October, 1967, and his successor is continuing this valuable
liaison. It is also pleasant to report that another dental officer was offered,
and was able to accept, the appointment of Clinical Assistant in the
children's department of King's College Hospital Dental School. Connections
with teaching hospitals such as these serve to keep the dental
officers concerned fully aware of the latest trends in dental treatment for
children, and they are able to transmit such information to their colleagues.
Also, the students are made aware of the possibility of a career in children's
dentistry and in this way recruitment to the School Dental Service benefits.
Dental Health Education
With the invaluable assistance of the Health Education Section, the programme
of Dental Health Education in primary schools has been continued and
extended. As before, students of the Royal Dental Hospital School of Oral
Hygiene have visited infant and junior departments and have spoken to individual
classes. More than 7,000 children in 18 schools have received talks
this year, 2,000 more than in 1967. The girls try to involve the children in the
subject by asking questions about correct diet, and individual pupils are invited
to demonstrate different methods of tooth cleaning. They particularly
appreciate the opportunity to make drawings about dental matters, and these
are often related to their own experiences in the dental surgery.
Handicapped Children
It is becoming increasingly recognised that this section of the school
population has as great a need of dental care as any other, and indeed
greater than some because of the nature of their disabilities. Some of these
children are completely unable to co-operate when dental treatment is being
performed and in these circumstances all necessary fillings and extractions
are performed under general anaesthesia. The School Dental Service in
Croydon is fortunate to have available to it the skill of a consultant
anaesthetist of the Regional Hospital Board who has wide dental experience.