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70
Inspections and
treatments
Dental inspections are a very important duty of the school
dental service. Often it is only by these inspections that
parents can be informed that their children require treatment.
It is then the responsibility of the parent whether treatment
should be carried out by the school dental service or under
the general dental service. During 1966 18,044 dental inspections
were made. This represents 59% of the school population.
It is interesting to note that the number of fillings increased
by 10% over last year to a total of 11,095 and the number of
teeth that had to be extracted decreased by 12%. This now
gives a permanent teeth filled to permanent extraction ratio
of 19 to 1. This high ratio gives some idea of the good dental
care of the children.
General anaesthetic sessions continued as in previous
years. Medical Officers giving most of the anaesthetics. When
a Medical Officer was not available the services of a Dental
Anaesthetist was used.
Orthodontic cases have been treated by dental officers
interested and capable of dealing with this specialised subject.
The number of orthodontic patients attending the school
dental service, appears to be decreasing slightly. I think this
is due to the fact that more private practitioners are now undertaking
this work than in the past.
Dental Health Education which is an increasing important
duty of the service continued to expand mainly through the
work carried out by the Health Education Officer. With the
shortage of dental staff it is inadvisable to use Dental Officers'
time on this work when actual treatment is required by patients.
All Dental Officers give dental health instruction to patients
when they attend for treatment.
Miss Griffiths, Health Education Officer, has been undertaking
a systematic dental health education programme in
infant and junior schools. The response for this by the Head
Teachers. was surprising and I am sure considerable good has
been achieved. Dental health propaganda has continued with
posters and leaflets.
Toothbrushes continued to be sold for 3d. each to children.
The small pilot scheme which was introduced in one of the
Junior Schools in the Borough of having toothbrushes for all
the children staying to school dinners has continued to work
very well. It has been possible with the co-operation of three
Head Teachers to extend this scheme to three other schools
during 1966. It has needed considerable help from the teachers