Mr. Alexanderasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the number of full-time dental officers employed in the school dental service; and what, in the opinion of the Board, is the increase required in this number to provide an efficient dental service for all grant-aided schools?
Mr. LindsayThe present staff of the school dental service is equivalent to about 735 full-time dentists. On the assumption that the ratio of the number of children receiving dental treatment to the number recommended for such treatment remained as at present, a staff equivalent to about 1,100 full-time dentists would be required to provide for all children attending public elementary schools a service of the type now available. At present the percentage of parents who accept dental treatment for their children is regrettably low, and efforts are being made to increase it. If appreciation of the facilities provided, and particularly of the opportunities for conservative dental treatment, were universal, it is estimated that an efficient service for all public elementary school children would necessitate the employment of slightly more than 2,000 full-time dentists, or their equivalent in terms of part-time service. If other types of grant-aided schools were included, this figure would require to be increased to some extent.