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71
REPORT OF THE CHIEF DENTAL OFFICER - J.H. FORRESTER
In this new Borough we are, of course, only able to report on the situation
as it is, and no comparisons can be made with previous activities. Moreover,
the Council is directly responsible for the M. & C.W. dental service, and only
jointly responsible with ILEA for the School Dental Service.
Staff
In this Borough there are 8 clinics comprising 11 surgeries, plus one
surgery in the residential home at Hutton Poplars in Essex. There are 3
surgeries used by the London Executive Council.
On the 31st December 1965, there were 6 full-time (including Chief Dental
Officer), 2 part-time, and 12 sessional dental officers, giving a full-time
equivalent of 12.7 officers, within an establishment of 13. This Borough has
the largest dental service of the Inner London Boroughs having nearly twice
the staff of some boroughs and three times that of others. It is interesting
to note that in view of the work done in relation to population, the other
Boroughs may be under-established.
It should be mentioned here that the average age of full-time officers
is 56 years, and that of sessional and part-time officers 46 years. It is
obvious that every effort must be made to recruit younger dental officers.
There are several young dental surgeons who are enthusiastic about this service,
but who have found the starting salaries too low, promotion incentives poor,
and have consequently been compelled to leave or remain as part-time officers.
It is also necessary to recruit suitable full-time officers, because it is
only in this way that continuity of treatment can be given, which is so essential
in establishing a good patient/surgeon relationship in the treatment of
children.
The remainder of the dental staff consists of 14 dental surgery assistants
within an establishment of 15, and here again the difficulties of recruitment
are largely due to a low starting salary.
Clinics
It must be said that the majority of our clinics do not have the necessary
basic equipment to practise modern dentistry. Most distressing is the complete
lack of adequate operating lights in all our surgeries, for one cannot
inspect a cellar with a light in the corridor.
Here again it must be emphasised that one cannot recruit young dental
surgeons without adequate working conditions and equipment. It is somewhat
ironic that in some instances school dental officers are working in adjoining
surgeries to Executive Council Officers for whom every facility as regards
equipment is adequately provided by that authority.
In general, the accommodation provided is adequate, with two exceptions
that at Lower Clapton Road and Hackney Treatment Centre, which is very poor
other departments making joint use of dental accommodation. However, through
the ten-year plan for the development of Health and Welfare Services, it is
hoped to alleviate these conditions.
The rebuilding of the dental suite at Shoreditch Health Centre is progressing
satisfactorily, and it is hoped to transfer two surgeries from Hoxton
Treatment Centre to this new accommodation in June 1966.