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42
DENTAL SERVICES
Mrs. C. M. Lindsay, l.d.s., r.f.p.s.(glasgow)
Principal Dental Officer
Dental Service for Nursing and Expectant Mothers and Children
under School Age
A fully comprehensive maternity and child welfare dental
service is provided in the Borough for all expectant and nursing
mothers, also children under five who are not yet eligible for
treatment within the School Dental Service.
All types of treatment as in private practice are available,
including treatment of orthodontic cases and the service is operated
from all the school dental clinics. Details of the work carried out
during 1967 are given on page 43.
School Health Dental Service
There has been a full complement of staff during the year
1967. Whilst one full-time and one part-time dental officer
resigned, finding replacements presented little difficulty. During
the interregnum a full-time service was maintained at the clinics
by the employment of part-time dental officers. Indeed, the
Principal School Dental Officer has been able to refer applicants
for dental officer posts to other areas, which is most gratifying in
the present difficult times of staff shortage.
Statistics appertaining to the work of the Dental Services in
1967 are given below.
These show an increase of 1,548 permanent and 556
deciduous fillings over the previous record achievement of 1966.
The total number of teeth extracted remains approximately
the same. There is a slight decrease in the number of permanent
extractions.
General anaesthetics for dental extractions are administered
by medical practitioners to whom our thanks are due for their
excellent services.
There were 189 orthodontic cases treated during the year of
the establishment of the Borough (1965). This year the number
has risen to 600 of which 146 were successfully completed. The
growing interest by parents in this branch of dentistry is notable.
I should like to thank all the Head Teachers who have been
contacted, for their courteous and willing help in the advancement
of dental health in their schools.