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This scheme has now been extended gradually to the older pupils of other grammar,
secondary modern and technical schools in the hope that all children would leave school
with a reasonably good dentition and the desire to look after their teeth in the future.
We have had very mixed results overall, but, at least, a start has been made.
The Maternity and Child Welfare part of our work has progressed, particularly in
the case of the toddlers, many of whom return to the clinics for their routine inspection
and treatment and it is very gratifying to the dental officers to see the good results
of their work on these children, who have come to regard the dentist as an old friend
and not the "bogey" man of their forbear.
The response of the expectant mothers is, on the whole, disappointing. Par too
many mothers who have been given appointments to the clinic fail to attend or attend too
late in pregnancy for much to be done except the relief of pain. No doubt the Health
Education of the mother-to-be is a task somewhat equivalent to the painting of the Forth
Bridge.
The demand for orthodontic work continues and it is very difficult to satisfy this
without encroaching on the time nd manpower needed for routine work. As orthodontics is,
to a great extent, a post-graduate study, it would be of great assistance if dental
officers were encouraged to attend post-graduate and refresher courses on this subject.
Dentistry in general and orthodontics in particular is not static, and new techniques and
knowledge are ever being brought into the light. It is therefore incumbent on everyone who
has the interest of the service at heart to take advantage of this new knowledge for the
benefit of the patient and the prevention of spiritual staleness.
I would like here to thank the clinic and clerical staffs for their efforts during the
year and to record, too, my appreciation of the help received from the medical officers,
nursing staff and teachers.