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47
There were eleven dental surgery assistants within an establishment of
sixteen. In addition to the five vacancies, more than half of those in post
had been with the Department for a very short time, and could thus not be regarded
as well trained. The deterioration is self generating. After a while
even the better surgery assistants cannot stand the strain and leave, closely
followed by the dentists who cannot spend all their surgery time washing and
sterilising instruments, and preparing filling materials. Such a situation can
only have a disastrous effect on any dental service. Thus if nothing is done
to alleviate the difficulties that result from the poor pay scale the situation
will definitely get far worse. This is very serious. The Medical Protection
Societies specifically warn dentists against working on their own, especially
when treating female patients. Also, when dentists work on their own productivity
is bound to suffer.
In addition to the D. S. A's there are two D. S. A./clerks who help the
Principal School Dental Officer with clinical and clerical work, resulting in
more efficient utilisation of his own time.
POST GRADUATE STUDIES
Dental officers have been sent on courses covering many aspects of dental
surgery, especially in relation to paedodontics and public health dentistry.
The P.S.D.O. attended the annual conference of the British Dental Association.
In addition he completed the course in Dental Public Health organised by the
University of London Dental Schools, and was amongst the first recipients of the
new Diploma in this subject awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Informal staff meetings have been held on several occasions in order to discuss
the working and progress of the service. A joint clinical meeting was organised
for our own dental staff plus the local general dental practitioners. In addition
to raising clinical standards this was found to be a most useful exercise
in public relations, affording an opportunity for the two groups of dentists to
meet and talk. New dental surgery assistants have attended dental radiography
courses organised by Kodak Ltd.
The Inner London Education Authority and the London Borough of Hackney are
to be thanked for helping to maintain staff at such a high standard of knowledge,
which can only be gained by attending courses and conferences.
In a further attempt to keep dental officers up to date in dental matters,
circulars, pamphlets and journals are distributed at intervals. There is also
a regular dental news letter to inform all dental staff as to what is happening
in the Hackney dental service.
ACCOMMODATION AND EQUIPMENT
Sixteen surgeries at eight centres provide treatment for school children.
This includes one at Hutton Poplars Children Home and a part-time surgery now
operating at the Geffrye School for physically handicapped children. The latter
is much appreciated by the children and their parents, as well as by the school
staff. One surgery is used by the orthodontist and another by the dental
auxiliary, leaving 12 for general purpose dentistry within the Borough.
Unfortunately the distribution of surgeries is such that whereas some are
just coping with the workload, others are very heavily overloaded. There is
thus a distinct need for further surgeries in some parts of the Borough. Where
there is a proven need, surgeries are open for evening sessions. This is very
popular, for example, amongst children who are due to take public examinations
and who prefer not to have time off from school during the day; also amongst
working mothers who like to come with their offspring, but who cannot afford
to take time off from work during the day.