View report page

50
who require a post either full or part-time for a short
period (even as little as a month) but such coming and
going does not make for an efficient, personal service.
Prom the above facts it will be appreciated that the problem
is the attraction of younger members of the profession
into the service on full-time permanent engagements.
By some redisposition of the allocation of schools to
particular clinics we have succeeded in catching up much
of the arrears of inspection and treatment. A considerable
number of parents seek private treatment for their children
and this does enable us to provide, with rather less
delay, treatment for those who wish to attend the clincis.
The school inspections serve the very important purpose
of drawing all parents attention to the need for treatment,
though subsequently they may prefer to make their
own arrangements. School inspections are arranged so that
there shall be a minimum delay between inspection and
treatment.
The ratio of permanent teeth extracted to permanent
fillings has improved significantly. In 1954 the figures
of 1 extraction to 12 6 fillings, and in 1955. 1 extraction
to 14 3 fillings. This is the best figure we have
recorded. Though a slightly smaller number of temporary
fillings were carried out in 1955* the ratio of temporary
extractions to temporary fillings has again improved and
is now 1,4 to 1.
Due to staff changes fewer evenings were worked during
1955 but as far as output is concerned the scheme continues
to be a success.
The orthodontic service continues to be a well used
and popular service, but the end of the year found us with
a rather larger waiting list than hitherto as our two
part-time orthodontists had unavoidably reduced their
number of weekly attendances. This will be only a temporary
setback and we will return to normal working early
in 1956.
1955 has been a year of change and uncertainty for
the school dental service and it is impossible to forecast
the future. It will be a great pity if lack of recruits
to the ranks of school dental surgeons should cause any
loss of ground we have regained in the last 3 years.