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136
" of parents accept treatment for their children. The Board looks to
" Authorities to examine their present arrangements with a view to
" securing that their dental staff does not fall short of the requirements
" of their areas."
The dental staff of Leyton Education Authority consists of two dental
surgeons, of whom one also undertakes dental work in connection with the
Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme. Each dentist is responsible for the
inspection and treatment of over 7,000 school children, and I have drawn
attention repeatedly in my Annual Reports to the fact that it is impossible
for a dental surgeon to inspect and treat efficiently that number of children
each year.
I recommend that the Local Education Authority appoint an additional
Dental Surgeon and Dental Assistant; and that arrangements be made
for an additional Dental Surgery.
After consideration of the above your Committee requested a
further report indicating the cost of appointing an additional
Dental Surgeon and Dental Assistant and providing and equiping
an additional dental surgery.
Report of School Medical Officer—February, 1938.
The School Dental Service forms part of the School Medical Service,
but it is recognised that the dental service is a specialised branch. Although
it is administered by the School Medical Officer and is closely associated
with the work of the school medical officers, the members of the medical
staff are not qualified dental surgeons. Under the circumstances your
medical officers cannot be regarded as qualified judges of the actual quality
of the dental work performed, nor are they in a position to dictate as to
the nature of the methods to be employed in the work of dental surgery.
Efficient supervision and control of dental work can be exercised only by a
dental surgeon who is conversant with modern methods. Whenever two
or more dental surgeons are employed by a Local Authority, it is customary
for one to be designated as Senior Dental Surgeon. I therefore recommend
that, when dealing with the question of increasing the dental staff, consideration
should be given to appointing a Senior Dental Surgeon who will
be responsible to the Medical Officer of Health and School Medical Officer
for the supervision and control of all dental work undertaken by your
Council.
The premises at Leyton Green Clinic could not be converted to accommodate
an additional dental surgery and annexe; but at Park House
Clinic a very desirable dental surgery could be constructed as an annexe
to the existing dental premises. This would also allow of certain sanitary
and acoustic improvements which experience has shown to be necessary
in the existing premises.
By carrying the right flank wall out a distance of four feet provision
could be made for an additional dental surgery. This would enable the
two dental surgeons to make use of the same recovery room (extended) for