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131
which, with my services on school dentistry, made
an equivalent strength of two full-time dental officers.
The reason for this shortage of staff continues to be
the difference in remuneration between private practice
and school clinic work.
It has been impossible to inspect many children
at schools, sufficient numbers applying for
treatment to keep available staff fully occupied.
I continued with one evening session per week
at Mayesbrook Clinic for school children who are
unable to attend during the day. These sessions from
5.15 to 8.15 p.m. are very popular with the older
children studying for examinations and who do not
wish to stay away from school.
Dental x-ray facilities are available at all
clinics; this not only saves patients' time but also
saves them pain, a quicker diagnosis being possible.
Most extractions were performed under
general anaesthesia, which was always given by a
medical officer, the average number of children
attending for anaesthetic session being between 20
and 25.
Emergency treatment and inspection sessions
continued at Mayesbrook Clinic each week. On
Wednesday and Friday mornings before 11 o'clock
any school child without an appointment could attend
and be seen for the relief of pain and inspection.
Appointments were made for these children to have
extractions under general anaesthesia, conservative
or orthodontic treatment. The number of patients
attending on these mornings varies from 15 to over
30 per session. "
Full details of the dental work are shown in Table V.
BENTON SCHOOL.
Dr. D. M. B. Gross, Medical Officer in Charge, reports
as follows:-
"During I960 the number of children on roll
varied, being 76 on 31. 12. 59. and 66 on 31. 12. 60.