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SCHOOL DEIMTAL SERVICE
Mrs. B. Fox, B.D.S.—Principal School Dental Officer
Equipment of Dental Surgeries
The major achievement in the school dental service has been the re-equipping of eight
dental clinics with equipment suitable for modern low-seated dentistry. This has taken one year
to complete due to delays in delivery. The premises of the pre-war clinics present problems when
adapting to new equipment and there remain difficulties. However, new techniques, particularly
in general anaesthesia, have now been adopted, resulting in a far better and safer service for
our patients.
Handicapped Children
In April, 1971 the school dental service accepted responsibility for the dental examination
and treatment of mentally handicapped children and carried out the first inspection at Moorcroft
School. Many children were given treatment as a result of the examination and a number referred
to Leavesden Hospital, Abbots Langley or to University College Hospital for fillings under a
general anaesthetic. There is a great shortage of centres able to undertake this work. I would like
to record appreciation, particularly, of Leavesden Hospital Dental department, who have accepted
the majority of children for treatment.
The major problem of handicapped children is not dental caries but gum conditions. This
may be the result of drugs taken by the child, poor natural cleansing by the musculature of the
mouth and, frequently, inability to use a toothbrush effectively. Great emphasis has been placed
on oral hygiene instruction by all members of the dental team in contact with the children. Miss
M. H. Hutchinson was appointed as a dental auxiliary in September 1971 and has pioneered this
work. She has visited Moorcroft School twice weekly to see the children in small groups to
encourage them to clean their teeth to the best of their ability and to give them a simple dental
health message. This regular contact has produced response from the children and the headteacher,
Mr. Nicholas has kindly allowed us to install some basic dental equipment at the school. It is hoped
that as the children become more familiar with the equipment they will be less anxious about
entering a dental surgery. Miss Hutchinson will also undertake routine polishing of the teeth for
children at school.
Dental Health Education
A programme of dental health education in junior schools was initiated in the latter half of
the year. It is hoped to expand this during the next year when a second senior dental officer is
appointed in April 1972, with special responsibilities in this field.
The form of dental health education is slowly changing and more emphasis is being placed
on project work done by the children. This is more time consuming for dental staff and requires
active co-operation from the teachers. It is thought to be more effective in the long term but
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