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20
The programme of modernising the equipment and facilities in the
various surgeries was continued. The clinics generally are of a good standard
and are entirely adequate for the provision of a fully comprehensive
service which is now up to full strength in terms of establishment. A
further increase would be desirable to cope with the increasing demand, but
is prevented by shortage of suitable surgery premises pending the replacement
of the Selhurst Road Clinic by a twin surgery unit in the Health Centre
proposed for this area.
The School Dental Services
The movement towards the maintenance of good, clean, healthy mouths
among Croydon's schoolchildren continued during the year. The grossly
neglected mouth is only occasionally seen, although many parents appear to
need constant reminders, through school inspections, to seek dental treatment
for their children.
With the many changes in staff the rapid advance in the amount of treatment
provided, which has been the feature of recent years, slowed down
during the early part of the year but began to pick up again during the latter
part of 1971, and the work done was on a par with that of the previous year.
The number of children who received at least one course of treatment during
the year fell slightlv although the number of total visits increased. The number
of teeth filled also was marginally down on the previous year. The number of
the more advanced operative procedures such as the provision of crowns and
inlays showed a marked increase. The preparation of these restorations is
time consuming and requires more than one visit to complete, but they are one
more sign of the trend towards the provision of a more complete and varied
service.
The trend towards the preservation of teeth is illustrated by the following
table showing the number of teeth extracted compared with the number of
teeth filled.
In 1951 111.2 teeth were extracted for every 100 filled
In 1961 65.5 „ „ „ „
In 1966 34.5 „ „ „ „
In 1970 23.0 „ „ „ „
In 1971 21.6 „ „ „ „
Altogether 5,590 teeth were extracted, but this includes many that were
removed to help straighten the remaining teeth and also 289 teeth that were
extracted at the request of General Practitioners.
In July it was decided to centre the clinics at which general anaesthetic
was administered at Lodge Road and Parkway (New Addington). This experiment
has been well received and has resulted in a more efficient use of time
and manpower.