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School Dental Service
The past year has shown a steady increase in the percentage of school children
dentally inspected in spite of a further rise in the school population. Thanks to the
co-operation of head teachers it has been possible to arrange re-inspection sessions in
some schools, a saving of time out of school for the children concerned, and it is hoped
that these sessions will be increased in the coming year.
The percentage of children found to require treatment at their first inspection
remains fairly constant but of those re-inspected a higher percentage were found
dentally fit than in previous years. 41% in 1971 (35%).
The staff situation has eased during the year and the post of Senior Dental
Officer has now been filled. The total of dental officer sessions worked has risen, with
a consequent rise in the number of children commencing and completing courses of
treatment, the number of teeth filled but unfortunately a further rise in the number of
teeth extracted.
There is a good liaison between Dental Officers and the Health Education Officer
resulting in an increase in dental health education programmes. Films, demonstrations
and talks have been given in schools and Parent Teacher Association meetings by the
Senior Dental Officer and the Health Visitors. To complement this work in the schools,
clinics are now supplied with disposable toothbrushes and these, combined with the use
of disclosing tablets (discloses plaque on teeth, a deposit caused by not cleaning teeth)
should be of great assistance in the maintenance of good oral hygiene.
Full details of the Dental Service statistics are given in Appendix IX to this
report.
Special Services
(a) Audiology
The early diagnosis of children with partial hearing is essential if normal
progress is to be achieved in the development of speech and the child's education.
The great majority of cases of deafness are diagnosed by hearing screening
tests before the child begins school. Those children initially referred on account of
speech defects which may be associated with partial deafness have a routine hearing test
by the audiometrician before speech therapy is commenced. Children who show any
defect in hearing are referred to the school medical officer who decides whether it is necessary
for them to be referred for further investigation and treatment.
In cases where there is a severe loss of hearing the pupil is referred to an
ear, nose and throat specialist, and a decision made regarding the supply of a hearing
aid. In a small number of cases the pupil is considered sufficiently handicapped to
require special educational treatment at a partially hearing unit or special school for the
deaf. In the less serious cases it may only be necessary to request the head teacher to
make certain that the pupil sits near the front of the class and in the most advantageous
position near the teacher.
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