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126
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
Donald M. Dodd, L.D.S. . B.D.S., Chief Dental Officer
Staff
The loss of two part-time dental officers during the first
six months was quickly offset by the appointment of a part-time
replacement, which enabled establishment levels to be brought
almost to full strength again. The staffing position of dental
surgery assistants remained stable throughout the year.
Dental Inspections (see tables)
18,650 children were inspected either routinely at schools
or at clinics and 2,679 (14 per cent) reinspected. In view of the
temporary loss of dental staff at one point, these figures indicate
a reasonably satisfactory coverage of the area.
Dental Treatment (see tables)
7,218 (37 per cent) of children examined at their first
inspection of the year required treatment and of these, 3,832 (53 per
cent) were treated by the school dental service.
It is encouraging to note that the emphasis of this treatment
was once more directed mainly towards conservation. This is shown by
the fact that 8.8 permanent teeth were filled for every one that required
extraction.
The orthodontic clinic continued to provide excellent facilities
both for the school dental service and, in many cases, for the general
dental service. No patient had to be referred to an outside consultant
from this clinic during the whole year.
Dental Health Education
Dental health education is an important and integral part of
any comprehensive dental service. In order to produce tomorrow's dentally
fit generation of young adults, we must stress upon today's school
children the importanoe of sound, healthy teeth. When one considers that
over a million working days are lost each year through tooth troubles,