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38
The number of boys in residence has fallen well below even the optimum number
and at the end of the year the position was still not too hopeful. The
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association continued to function during the year
but no new major developments took place. The liaison with the Health Department
continues as before.
The Hackney Society for Mentally Handicapped Children has now a permanent
base at the Council's Day Psychiatric Centre in Dawson Street. Their activities
were similar to previous years.
The Elfrida Rathbone Club continued to meet at the Homerton Training
Centre. Certain difficulties arose over the use of the accommodation but it is
hoped that these will be resolved.
Dental Care
Once again great emphasis has been placed on this facet of the dental
service. Nearly three times as many visits were made for treatment as in 1969.
The ratio of permanent teeth filled to extracted rose from 4.4 to 1, to 12.3 to
1. For deciduous teeth the figure was 2.1 to 1, instead of 3.2 to 1. Although
the number of fillings nearly doubled, rising from 192 last year to 338, the
number of teeth extracted actually went down by 12. Even greater attention has
been paid to prevention of tooth and gum diseases, as shown by the vastly
increased number of prophylaxes and scalings. Further attempts at prevention
are shown by the number of patients given chairside dental health education and
application of topical fluoride. Eighty-five sessions were devoted to group
dental health education. The two dental auxiliaries are a great asset in this
facet of the work. They enthusiastically spend a great deal of time at
training centres, showing the trainees how to clean their teeth, and indicating
what foods to avoid. They are getting remarkable results in work which is quite
unique for this country, if not throughout the world.

N. A. - Not available