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17
own arrangments with the clinics for more frequent
inspections.
The provision of a complete Dental Service is based
upon annual inspection for every pupil followed by prompt
treatment and this depends upon the adequate staffing
of the Dental Service which appears to be approaching a
crisis in the country as a whole due to the implication of
the National Health Service Act, for its effect upon
recruitment and School Dental Services.
It is gratifying to note that in Hendon the Dental
Officers had remained loyal to the Service to the end of
the year."
ASCERTAINMENT OF HANDICAPPED PUPILS:
An increased number of children suspected of being
mentally or physically handicapped or mal-adjusted were
referred for special examinations to ascertain whether their
degree of handicap is of such a nature as to require special
educational treatment. The Tavistock Clinic which has been
absorbed by the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital
Board continues to undertake treatment of mal-ad.justed
children and during the year 74 children were referred for
examination and treatment.
Unfortunately there is a long waiting list with an inevitable
delay in obtaining appointments.
UNCLEANLINESS—VERMINOUS CONDITIONS:
Ministry of Education Table V gives the number of
children who were examined in the schools, the number of
children who were found to be infested with vermin, and the
number of individual pupils in respect of whom cleansing
notices were issued under Section 54 (2) of the Education
Act. These latter notices are only served in cases liable to
persistent or repeated infestation, as in the vast majority of
cases the degree of infestation is slight, and the co-operation
of the parent is elicited by assistance and advice.