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SCHOOL HEALTH
Dental service
Section 48
Education Act 1944
It is the duty of the local education authority to provide medical inspection
at appropriate intervals for pupils in attendance at any school or county
college maintained by them, and every local education authority shall have
power to provide for such inspection of senior pupils in attendance at any
other establishment maintained by them. Medical inspection, which is
compulsory for such pupils, is deemed to include dental inspection.
Section 4 Education
(Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act 1953
Under Section 4 of the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1953, the
local education authority has duties and powers in regard to the provision
Provisions)
of free dental treatment, similar to those for medical treatment. Dental
treatment, however, may only be provided by the authority through persons
employed by the authority or under arrangements made with the hospital
service and not through the general dental service.
There are nine clinics in the borough, providing dental suites with a total
of thirteen surgeries, one surgery being used exclusively for orthodontics
and three surgeries being used for the dual purpose of dentistry and
orthodontics. All premises are fitted with up-to-date equipment, including
air turbine high speed instruments, and, for greater convenience, all anaesthetic
apparatus is standard throughout (Walton) as also are the X-ray
machines.
During the year under review 29,730 pupils were examined for the first time,
5,393 more than the previous year. Of these 12,511 were found to require
treatment. Compared to last year's figures which were 24,337 examined
and 10,332 requiring treatment, the figures for this year show a gratifying
move in the right direction. A number of children, of course, receive treatment
through the general dental service.
Attention was mainly directed to juniors and infants, the groups in which
caries experience is most prevalent. This is shown by an increase in the
numbers of fillings in deciduous teeth of 867, and by a marked fall in
extractions in the same group. The total number of extractions, in both
permanent and deciduous, continues to fall each year, indicating a general
improvement in the condition of the teeth.
The Borough is still fortunate to have a good and flourishing orthodontic
service.
In March, a dental officer from the Department of Education and Science
visited the Borough in order to review the dental services. Subsequently a
letter was received from the Department in which it was stated that
" Inspections were carried out at a satisfactory rate per session, and that
an above average proportion of the school population was inspected. The
pattern of treatment remains good, with low prevalences of general anaesthetics
and emergencies, and high ratios of teeth filled to extracted. Work
output has fallen, but a chronic shortage of surgery assistants has been a
contributory factor. Enfield is fortunate in having a number of very attractive
clinics, but although the equipment was generally sound, there is a need
to replace the less satisfactory items, in order to avoid heavy expenditure
later."
It was also stated that: " A dental auxiliary could contribute greatly to the
treatment of children under five." The filling of this post is under consideration.
Dental health education, which has been energetically pursued in cooperation
with the Health Education Officer, has no doubt played a large
part in the interest shown by parents in the dental welfare of their children.
Mr. Phillips, the Chief Dental Officer and Principal School Dental Officer,
wishes to record his thanks to his staff for their help and loyalty, and to all
those members of the Department whose efforts contributed to the smooth
running of the service.
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