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Defective Vision
By arrangement with the South West London and Surrey Executive Council treatment of
defective vision and squint is carried out at Local Authority Clinics. The total number of
pupils treated for defective vision including squint in 1972 was 1571 (1744). Spectacles
were prescribed for 583 (545).
Diseases and Defects of Ear, Nose and Throat
The total number of children treated for these defects in 1972 was 111 (89) of whom
31 (39) had operative treatment, mainly for tonsils and adenoids.
Orthopaedic defects
Physiotherapy sessions for minor orthopaedic and postural defects are held at clinics, at
Carew Manor E.S.N. School, Sherwood Park School and at Observation/Diagnostic classes.
In addition many handicapped children, the majority aged under 5 years, receive treatment
at the physiotherapy clinics after consultation with the staff of the hospital where the child
attends. The total number of pupils treated at clinics in 1972 was 142 (307). An increasing
number are treated at schools instead of attending clinics.
SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE
There has been a growing awareness of the need for 'prevention' during the past year,
probably stimulated by television programmes and the dental service has had many enquiries
for preventative dentistry, (i.e. Topical application of flouride and the use of fissure sealants).
As the present dental establishment is only just able to cope with the volume of work required
to repair the ravages of dental caries, there seems little hope of 'prevention' becoming a part
of the School Dental Service in the near future without the addition of extra staff.
The need for dental treatment (44.5% in need of treatment at their first inspection during
the year.) and the number attending clinics for treatment remains fairly constant, but for the
third year in succesion extractions have risen slightly, although there has been a drop in the
number of permanent teeth extracted in the 5-9 age group.
More time has been spent on dental health education during the year. Sixty nine visits were
made to schools, clubs etc. chiefly by health visitors, showing films, slides, models and charts
on dental health. One school worked on a dental health project for almost a whole term,
great interest being shown by parents who came to inspect the children's work, and watch a
film at the end of the project.
Much use was made of disposable toothbrushes and disclosing tablets, and about 500 children
received individual instruction as to their correct use when attending dental clinics.
For the first time for several years there have been very few staff changes. This ensured that good
relationships built up between dental staff and schools were maintained and during the past year
dental officers were welcomed in twelve schools for re-inspection sessions.
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