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19
Although there were 29 fewer sessions devoted to school inspections
99 school departments were inspected during the year (71.6% of the total)
resulting in 32,260 children (57.9%) being examined at school. In addition a
further 7,011 were inspected in the surgery, bringing the total percentage of
the school population examined during the year to 70.5%. This was a reduction
of 5% on the total number examined the previous year but compares well
when it is remembered that there was a reduction of almost 50% in the dental
staff for a large part of the year.
Of those examined 59% required some form of dental treatment. The
corresponding figure last year was 54.7%; in 1970 48.9% and in 1969 45.6%.
It is therefore evident that the need for dental treatment is steadily increasing,
and renewed efforts must be made not only to bring the number of
dental officers up to the full establishment, but to further increase the establishment
in order to cope with the increased need and demand.
There has been a considerable advance in the work done by the Orthodontist,
with an increase of 45 in the number of new cases and 28 in cases
completed.
The number of failed appointments again fell slightly this year and represented
a figure of 21.1% of all appointments made. The corresponding figures
for previous years were 22.7% in 1971, 24.4% in 1970 and 24.2% in 1969. It
would appear that the position is slowly improving but nevertheless presents
an alarming state of affairs.
Dental Health Education
The number of sessions devoted to Dental Health Education was drastically
reduced this year in spite of the obvious need for an expansion in this
field. However, the student Hygienists from the Royal Dental Hospital have
continued their visits to infant and junior classes to instruct the children
both in the care of their teeth and the dangers of incorrect diet. In addition,
we are working closely with Miss Elliott and her staff in the Health Education
Department both to encourage teachers to promote dental knowledge especially
through teaching projects, and to give dental health talks in ante-natal clinics
and parent/teacher associations. It was proposed that a poster campaign in
schools and ante-natal clinics should be mounted, but this would be costly and
not have very much effect in the absence of adequate instruction.
Dental statistics will be found on Page 52.