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223
tion clinics were established at sessions held twice a week;
and since 1935 special Toddlers' Clinics have been held twice
weekly.
The annual number of general anaesthetics administered
in connection with the school dental scheme has increased
from 252 in the year 1931 to 1,441 in the year 1936. In the
Board of Education's "Conditions of a Satisfactory Dental
Scheme " it is stated that—
"the proper course for a Local Education Authority
is to appoint a qualified medical man as anaesthetist, but
if more than one qualified dentist is employed there is
no objection to one dentist administering nitrous oxide
gas for another dentist."
With the available medical staff a school doctor is not
available for the administration of all dental anaesthetics ;
and in Leyton (except in special cases) one dental surgeon
anaesthetises for the other. It will be appreciated that the
employment of your dental surgeons as anaesthetists diminishes
the time available for dental inspection and treatment.
The present dental staff of Leyton Education Authority
(two dental surgeons, of whom one devotes 1½ sessions per
week to Maternity and Child Welfare work) cannot deal
adequately with the children in Leyton elementary schools.
The Board of Education estimate that the minimum staff
should consist of one dental surgeon for 5,000 children in an
urban area, and state that even that standard of staffing is
insufficient where a high percentage of parents accept treatment
for their children. Obviously the treatment acceptance
rate depends on the facilities available. The efficient dental
inspection and treatment of Leyton elementary and County
secondary school children require the services of an additional
dental surgeon and dental attendant, and the provision of the
necessary premises and equipment. 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
allow of certain acoustic and sanitary improvements which
experience has shown to be desirable in the existing premises.
The Borough Surveyor estimates that the necessary constructional
work would cost £500.