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children per annum. Using this number as the divisor it is
clear that approximately five Dental Officers would be required
to treat 6,357 children. The amount of work to be undertaken
for welfare patients is considerable and equivalent to the capacity
of one whole-time officer. On this survey it is apparent that a
staff of six whole-time officers will eventually be needed to
provide an efficent service for children and welfare patients.
The acceptance rate for dental treatment in 1945 was 66.8%,
a rather low figure. This is probably because the service has
been so overwhelmed with treatments preventing the Dental
Officers from visiting the schools for dental inspection as frequently
as is desirable. Unless schools are inspected at least
once a year parents are apt to lose the rhythm of regular dental
care which often leads to failure to consent to treatment when
it is offered. With a full staff providing a good service the
acceptance rate will steadily improve as the public always has a
high regard for an expert service.
The aim of a good dental service for children should provide
for early care of admissions and at least subsequent annual dental
supervision of each child with final attention to leaver age groups
before a child leaves school.
7. HANDICAPPED PUPILS. A table is presented in the
Appendix giving the numbers of handicapped pupils ascertained
since July, 1945—114 males and 63 females have been dealt with.
The large number of pupils classified as suffering from speech
defect (Category K) is an indication of the value of the services
of the Speech Therapist. On her services becoming available
the ascertainment of the children who would benefit has been
much stimulated. Generally, it is pertinent to remark upon the
present insufficient number of places, both in residential and in
day schools, for handicapped children. Many of the children
recorded as being in attendance at maintained schools are, in
fact, awaiting appropriate places in special schools.
8. The services of the Health Assistants dealing with cleanliness
matters are also showing good results. Schools are visited
at least once every school term. The number of pupils examined
shows considerable increase (see Appendix D). To begin with a
high standard was purposely aimed at, the percentage of pupils
requiring advice being, in 1945 2.3, in 1946 2.9, while towards
the end of 1946 the percentage was just under 2.
9. It is considered most important that the Medical Officers
and Health Visitors on their visits to the schools and at the
Clinic Sessions use every opportunity for a complete co-operation
with the parents and teachers and there is evidence that this is
being gradually obtained, for example, the number of pupils
attending Clinic Sessions has increased considerably.
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