View report page

148
Dental Service
It is encouraging to report that the dental services
were well maintained with almost a full establishment of dental
officers. In addition to the chief dental officer there are three
full-time and two part-time dental officers assisted by a dental
auxiliary for four sessions each week, and four full-time and five
part-time dental surgery assistants. The part-time auxiliary is
normally occupied with conservative work and extraction of
deciduous teeth and is specially helpful in the education of infants
and difficult children to overcome fear of dental treatment in later
life. The orthodontic clinic at Acre Road, Kingston, is staffed by
two part-time orthodontists and a dental surgery assistant. Great
difficulty was experienced in retaining dental surgery assistants
mainly due to the low salary scales.
Approximately 90% of the time of the dental staff is spent
on the dental care of school children and the remainder on the
treatment of expectant and nursing mothers, children below school
age and children attending Kingston Training Centre.
The school dental officers endeavour to inspect each school
child once annually. Urgent treatment is given immediately and
routine treatment within a few weeks. Of all school children
inspected, it was found that 52% required some form of dental
treatment.
The Council's approval of water fluoridation was a major
step towards dental health for future generations.
Health Education was carried out by dental officers at
clinic sessions and also by medical officers and health visitors at
all times.
During the year Professor G.L.Slack of the Dental School of
the London Hospital Medical College carried out a survey at a senior
school in the borough as part of a major survey he is conducting in
London and the Home Counties to obtain more knowledge of the pattern
of dental diseases in children, A mobile unit accommodating
equipment and instruments was used. The head teacher gave every
possible assistance and this was much appreciated by Professor Slack.