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(e) Ultra-violet light treatment
Facilities are available for ultra-violet light treatment carried
out by physiotherapists at the following clinics
Robin Hood Lane Clinic, Sutton,
Shotfield Clinic, Wallington,
Priory Crescent Clinic, North Cheam,
A total of 22 children attended.
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
I am indebted to the Chief Dental Officer for the following report :
In 1966 the School Dental Service maintained a satisfactory rate
of inspection and treatment, 17,527 children being inspected at routine
school dental inspections during the year. The percentage of children
found to be in need of treatment at their first inspection was 43.7, very
slightly higher than in 1965 but comparing favourably with the national
average for 1965 which was 58.49%.
Several staff changes during the year resulted in the work being
a little in arrears in one of the five clinics but by the 31st December,
1966 the total staff of full-time and part-time dental officers was
equivalent to 4.75 full-time officers.
There was little significant change in the number of children
treated, or in the number of courses of treatment completed during the
year, but the number of temporary teeth filled and the number of younger
children (i.e. 5 to 9 years) attending for treatment increased.
Unfortunately there are still some children in the Borough who
receive no routine dental treatment from any source, and whose occasional
visits to the dentist are only for the relief of pain, this in spite of
repeated reminders after school inspections that dental treatment is
necessary. It is hoped that this number will decrease so that eventually
all children will be examined and treated if necessary at least twice a
year.
In 1965 a survey of the teeth of five year old children was started
and continued during 1966. The d.e.f. method of assessment was employed
i.e. the number of decayed, extracted and filled teeth in each mouth were
recorded and aggregated and the results expressed in several ways. As
many 5 year old children have already lost their anterior teeth through
natural means and some already have permanent teeth erupted, the
remaining twelve deciduous teeth only were included in the survey figures.
Recordings were made during routine dental inspections, and as several
dental officers took part in the survey, allowances must be made for some
slight differences of clinical opinion.
In all a total of 1237 five year old children were examined and the
results of the recordings are listed over page :
106