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60
substantially reduced. As mentioned earlier in this Report these clinics
are now consultative rather than treatment clinics.
The Local Hospital Management Committee continue to be
responsible for the provision of consultants for Specialists Clinics. It was
possible during the year to reduce the attendance of the Ophthalmic
Consultant by one session per week. The Orthoptic Clinic is held under
the supervision of Mrs. K. S. Box. As Mrs. Box also attends Whipps
Cross Hospital the co-operation between Mr. Klein, the Ophthalmic
Surgeon at Whipps Cross Hospital, and the Orthoptic Clinic is of great
value in the case of referrals for operative treatment.
I am indebted to Mr. C. J. Scott, the Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant,
for the statistics regarding the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic.
School Dental Service.
Mr. A. E. Hall, the Area Dental Officer, reports as follows on the
School Dental Service: —
The year 1956 opened with the equivalent of 3 3/11 full-time dental
officers of an authorised establishment of six, made up of one full-time
and nine part-time dentists. This number fluctuated slightly during the
year but was the same at the year end as at the beginning.
The number of dental officers has been almost static since the last war
and, in view of the declared shortage of qualified dentists, it would appear
unlikely that any improvement can be envisaged for some considerable
time. Long term improvement may occur with the adoption of ancillary
workers as provided for in the Dentists' Act, 1956.
A limited number of evening sessions have been worked since
February, 1956 to meet the convenience of those patients who prefer to
attend at that time.
A notable event during the year was the installation of Sterling
Junior Units at the two surgeries in Dawlish Road, being the first part of
a general modernisation of the dental equipment in the area.
Apart from the practical value of modern equipment as an aid to
speedy and skilful operating, its appearance suggests good work, and it is
surprising how this is noted and commented upon by patients.
School Inspections.
Routine dental inspection has been carried out in eleven schools. In
the schools it was not possible to visit all children, however, those referred
by medical officers, nurses or teachers were advised or treated.
The value of periodic examination in school cannot be too strongly
stressed as it is by such careful examination that early decay in the
permanent dentition can be found and reported at a time when it is not
obvious to the parents, and also long before it reaches the painful stage.
Unfortunately, one has still to record a vast amount of dental decay
in school children, some of it of a very rapid type affecting the second
dentition shortly after eruption.
Bearing these facts in mind the recommendation in the " Report of
the Committee of Enquiry into the cost of the National Health Service,"