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'There were no changes in the full-time staff during the
year, but there were many changes among the sessionally
employed Dental Officers and Orthodontists.
'Improvements in equipment and amenities have been carried
out in most of the Dental Clinics and approval has been
obtained for the installation of two new units in the second
surgeries at Amity Grove and Pelham Road Clinics next year.
' In accordance with Ministry of Health requirements regarding
the use of X-rays, tests of our four X-ray machines
have been carried out by the Radiological Protection Service
and all staffs using the machine have undergone a six-month
monitoring test with satisfactory results.
' In spite of a slight reduction in staff in 1966, some 3,400
more children were inspected at schools and 69 sessions were
devoted to Dental Health Education compared with only
one in 1965.
'It would appear that more of the older children are receiving
their dental treatment in the General Dental Service
and we in the School Service are getting a higher proportion
of the younger children. The amount of work carried out for
pre-school children has nearly doubled in the last year. This
early regular treatment, coupled with advice to the parents
on diet and oral hygiene, greatly reduces the risk of a child
requiring extensive dental treatment later on.
'A sustained campaign of Dental Health Education has
been carried on during the year with talks and films at Parentcraft
Classes by the Chief Dental Officer and by speakers from
the Oral Hygiene Service. Extensive use has been made of
posters and pamphlets. This campaign is carried into the
schools with the co-operation of Head Teachers and their
staffs by the Dental Auxiliaries who give suitable talks and
demonstrations to children in different age groups. Health
Visitors are also co-operating with us in this field.'
Statistics for Year 1966
Number of pupils on the register of maintained primary and
secondary schools including nursery and special schools in January,
1967, as in Forms 7, 7m, and 11 schools—24,522.