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In addition to clinical work at Park House Mrs.Purnell has visited some of the
schools in the Area to give talks on dental hygiene and with the aid of models loaned
by the General Dental Council has given demonstrations on the care of the teeth.
These talks have been very popular with the children who afterwards ask questions
concerning the various points raised. Several Heads of the departments visited have
required essays to be written on the subject and it is surprising how much some of the
children have learned from these talks.
These will be continued from time to time as the models become available."
ORTHODONTICS
The arrangements made some years ago with the North-East Metropolitan Regional
Hospital Board for cases to be referred by the dental officers to the consulting Orthodontist
(Mr.Willcocks) for his opinion, and in some instances, treatment, are invaluable
and continue to be widely used.
ROUTINE DENTAL INSPECTIONS
These have been carried out in most of the schools in the area during the year but
children whose parents have regularly accepted offers of treatment in the past are
encouraged to write, or phone, for inspection appointments at three to six monthly
intervals.
On the other hand where offers of treatment have been refused, or ignored on two
consecutive occasions only emergency treatment for the relief of pain is provided, the
aim being to ensure that as many children as possible shall leave school trained in the
care of the teeth, rendered dentally sound and without the loss of permanent teeth so
far as that is possible.
When all this has been done it is unfortunately true that dental decay remains as
a disease of epidemic proportions and one must stress the continual need for dental
health education and the hope that at some time in the not too distant future adjustment
of the fluoride content of the water to the optimum level of 1 part per million of water
will be an accomplished fact and thereby reduce the incidence of decay in young teeth.
Figures relative to the Ministry of Health findings on fluoridation will be found
in "The Health of Leyton 1962" pages 40-42.
Figures relating to the work of the dental officers do not include work done by
the dental auxiliary whose figures are returned to the General Dental Council.
DENTAL INSPECTION AND TREATMENT
Sessions (equivalent half-days) No.
School dental inspections 75
School dental treatment (excluding orthodontics) 1,910
School dental orthodontic treatment 75
Administration (Area Dental Officer) 50
(61)