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19
The number of appointments not kept is disappointingly high still, but
the proportion is the same as last year, 24.4% compared with 24.2% of the
total possible attendances. Over one-third (2,887) of these appointments not
kept are cancellations for which an alternative arrangement is made so that
treatment is continued in these cases.
The New Addington area still lags behind the rest of the Borough in
treatment and inspection services, due to the limited general dental services
in the area and the high demand for treatment, but the situation is slowly
improving with the existing dental facilities being fully utilised.
Dental Health Education
It has been possible to devote more time to the important aspect of
dental health education, and to enlist the active co-operation of teachers and
others, which is essential to achieve any success in this field. However it
is not possible to quantify the results as these would only show up in a long
term improvement in dental health.
The primary schools have been encouraged to continue and develop project
participation dental health education which not only creates a greater
dental awareness in the children but provides good teaching situations for
the educationa lists. The student hygienists from Royal Dental Hospital have
continued their useful visits to infant and junior schools to demonstrate and
talk about oral hygiene.
A comprehensive study on children's dietary habits at bedtime in relation
to their dental condition was undertaken and showed that food and drink
taken at this time had an adverse effect on their dental health. This work has
been written up for publication in the dental press.
Staff and Services
A second Dental Auxiliary was appointed and has been working at Purley
and Shirley. These girls are also specially trained in dental health education
and so the control side of the service has been strengthened.
The quarterly staff meetings of dental officers, where matters of clinical
or administrative interest can be discussed, have continued and proved very
useful. The Chief Dental Officer is on a public dental health course at
London University and four other dental officers have attended various postgraduate
courses during the year, which helped to maintain the standard of
dental services.
Within the financial limits existing, much was done to modernise equipment
and improve the facilities at the various clinics, which are generally of
a good standard and suitable for provision of comprehensive dental care to
the priority classes.
Details of treatment carried out for schoolchildren.in the year will be
found on Page 52.