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156
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
Donald M. Dodd, L.D.S., B.D. S., Chief Dental Officer
Staff
The staff position remained at almost full strength
throughout the year.
Clinics and Equipment
Regular inspections of clinics and items of equipment
were carried out and arrangements made for a phased replacement of
certain old dental units to begin during 1971/72.
Dental Inspections (see tables)
"19,491 pupils were inspected at either schools or clinics
and 2,799 reinspected. The large number of inspections achieved
was due almost entirely to the improved staff situation, compared
with that of the previous twelve months.
Dental Treatment (see tables)
7,581 children (39 per cent) were found to require treatment
at their first inspection of the year and of these, 3,535 (47
per cent) were treated by the school dental service.
Satisfactory trends continued to be observed in the basic
pattern of treatment provided. Thus, 8.4 permanent teeth were filled
to every one extracted, indicating that great emphasis is laid on
preservation, as opposed to extraction of teeth.
430 orthodontic appliances were fitted at Acre Road Clinic,
many of which were often of an extremely complex nature, involving
the latest techniques. Orthodontic cases continued to be referred to
this clinic from general practitioners in the area, reflecting a high
local regard for the services provided in this specialised sphere of
dentistry.
Fluoridation
There was no change in the Metropolitan Water Board's
decision relating to fluoridation of water supplies, which requires