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51
ACCOMMODATION AND EQUIPMENT
There are 12 surgeries in 7 clinics in the Borough in addition to the one
at Hutton Poplars Residential Home. Most of these are used for the treatment
of school children, pre-school children, pregnant and nursing mothers and the
mentally handicapped. The surgeries at Hackney School Treatment Centre were
partly modernised and redecorated. Negotiations took place between the Principal
School Dental Officer and the Headmaster of the Woodberry Down Comprehensive
School with a view to equipping the dental surgery already there. This would
reduce classroom time lost, to the mutual benefit of children and teachers. No
decision had been reached by the end of the year.
An I.L.E.A. Mobile Dental Clinic has been used to treat children at the
Geffrye School for physically handicapped children. This was a help, but
nevertheless, the occasional use of such a clinic, with the necessarily long
intervals between visits, can only scratch the surface of the problem. It would
be far more satisfactory to have a part-time surgery functioning within the
school itself.
Although the main phases of re-equipping the surgeries were completed in
1966 some major items had still to be obtained. The installation of specialised
dry heat sterilisers at John Scott and Shoreditch Health Centres towards the end
of 1967 means that much more satisfactory surgical and endodontic treatment can
be provided.
Modern facilities such as this mean that work of a more complex nature
can now be carried out in these surgeries. This makes it unnecessary to send
so many patients to hospital, with a great saving in the amount of time lost
from school. It is also an aid to recruitment.
In view of the increasing attention given to the dangers of emergencies
in general anaesthesia, high speed suction apparatus for use in all the surgeries
during anaesthetic sessions has been installed.
RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION
The Radiological Protection Service examined the X-ray apparatus in the
surgeries to ensure that all machines are absolutely safe for staff andpatients.
X-ray detector badges are now being worn by dentists and surgery assistants for
one month in every six in order to detect anything untoward.
LIAISON WITH LOCAL PRACTITIONERS
Close liaison has been maintained with local practitioners working in the
general dental service. This is essential, if a full service for the total
population of Hackney is to be provided. Each service must complement the other,
without any duplication of work.
A representative of the Hackney Division of the Inner London Local Dental
Committee sits on the Health Committee as a co-opted member.
In March, the Principal School Dental Officer was invited to address
the annual general meeting of the Divisional Committee. His lecture on 'The
local authority dental services; past, present and future' stimulated much
fruitful discussion and led to a better appreciation of what the Council is
trying to do.
LIAISON WITH TEACHING HOSPITALS
The Principal School Dental Officer has been given permission to attend a
teaching hospital on a sessional basis as recommended in the joint-circular. This
helps to maintain him in a maximum state of dental knowledge which is of direct
advantage to those working under him, and therefore their patients; it allows
him to remain in contact with a large number of dental students who are about
to qualify, thus enabling him to bring to their attention the advantages of
full-time service with a local authority.