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physically handicapped individuals, etc. Co-operation has been obtained
amongst the various dental services with a proper referral system established
so that patients obtain the best treatment in the most suitable way.
During the year some 150 patients have been referred to the dental section
for advice and/or treatment in this way.
An extension during 1969 of the provision of treatment facilities for
mentally disordered and physically handicapped individuals, for whom the
Corporation has special responsibility to include all ages, has been
approved by the appropriate ministerial departments and is now operative.
The provision of such a service, which in practice is often difficult to
obtain under other dental services, is a benefit to the individuals and a
realistic improvement to the overall dental service in Croydon.
Dental inspections
Only 12 out of 144 school departments were not inspected during the
year, which is the best record for some years; however, 8 of the schools
not inspected were at New Addington where the treatment demand is considerably
higher than elsewhere in the Borough, due to the limited general
dental services in that area. Out of the school population of 50,945, some
42,032 were inspected.
Dental Treatment
The amount of restorative treatment has again increased in relation to
the number of teeth extracted, thus continuing the trend towards conservation
of the dentition which has been emerging.over the past few years. The
number of fillings has increased by 11.8% and root fillings by 34% over the
1968 figures. There is also a slight increase (134 - 2.7%) in the number of
teeth extracted; however 301 teeth were extracted under general anaesthesia
for patients referred from other dental services.
In 1965 for every 100 teeth filled 47 were extracted
In 1967 for every 100 teeth filled 30 were extracted
In 1969 for every 100 teeth filled 27.5 were extracted.
Dental Health Education
With the continued invaluable assistance from the Health Education
section the programmes have been extended. The implementation of project
participation dental health education in primary schools has started with the
active support of the educationists. The teachers and children choose and
manage their own projects on dental topics, with advice and guidance frorr.
the dental section as necessary, thus finding out about teeth and dental
health for themselves. As in previous years the student hygienists from the
Royal Dental Hospital have visited infant and junior departments to talk on
dental health and demonstrate oral hygiene procedures.