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53
General emphasis continued to be placed on the prevention and treatment of
gum diseases, as well as tooth decay. The number of prophylaxes or polishings
has thus continued to rise.
ORTHODONTICS
There was an increase in the number of new appliance therapy cases commenced
during the year, apart from those treated without a brace and thus not recorded
statistically as patients. However, what is even more important is that the
number of cases actually completed during the year has risen dramatically. Many
more appliances were fitted and there was a marked rise in the number of
orthodontic attendances. This continually increasing use of the orthodontic
service is very gratifying. It is just one more stage in the historic process
of dragging the school dental service away from its past associations with
multiple extractions, through the realms of filling teeth, and on to the more
modern aspects of prevention of disease and concentration on psychological
aspects of our work. There is nothing more gratifying than to see a young girl
look into the mirror and say how much better her teeth appear now than when she
first came to the orthodontist. It is this sort of thing that makes the work
worthwhile.
GENERAL ANAESTHESIA
There was a reduction of 259 individual general anaesthetics and 21 general
anaesthetic sessions. Many of the anaesthetics were given by the Principal
School Dental Officer, who was sent on a clinical attachment to a consultant
anaesthetist to learn about up-to-date techniques in inhalation and intravenous
anaesthesia, thus ensuring a high standard in our clinics. Some children
have been given simple blood tests to ensure that it is safe for them to
undergo a general anaesthetic, and this move has been welcomed by the parents
concerned.
DENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES
Hackney has again been very active in this field. The two dental auxiliaries
have been very valuable in giving dental health talks to most primary school
children in the Borough. This is usually in response to a request from Head
Teachers, following dental inspections by one of the dental officers. There
were more than twice as many dental education sessions this year than in 1969.
In addition to the normal talks our auxiliaries joined with the dental health
educator from County Hall in presenting the Jimmy Germ Puppet Show to young
children. This was very well received both by the pupils, and, perhaps even
more important, by the teaching staffs. As part of the Health Department
display at the Hackney Field Day in Clissold Park, a public performance of this
puppet show was given. We are now co-operating with the Headmistress and staff of
Southwold Infants School, in showing how dentistry and dental health can form
part of the daily routine in schools. This project is being filmed by one of
the teachers.