Medical Physics and Workshop Section
362. As in previous years this section, under the immediate direction of the Senior Physicist, has played an important part in the routine work of the Radiotherapy Branch, and has assisted in the training of radiologists and radiographers. Other functions consist of a radiation protection service and the giving of advice and assistance to other Government departments, e.g, the Radiation Board, the Labour Depart- ment and the Fire Services Department in matters concerning radiation hazards and protection. The workshop undertakes the maintenance, repair and calibration of all the radiological and physics equipment. During the year it has also produced many spare parts, electronic machines and other devices to improve certain radiological techniques and the working efficiency of the Radioisotope Laboratory.
363. In April 1961 a new and bigger radioisotope laboratory was opened to replace the old one, which was too small to cope with the work demanded of it; in February 1962, a Siemen's Nucleograph was added to the counting equipment.
DENTAL SERVICE
364. The Government Dental Service, under the direction of the Senior Dental Specialist, provides general dental care for the Civil Service and a School Dental Service. In addition, emergency dental carc is given to patients in Government hospitals, in Her Majesty's Prisons and at certain of the Government outpatient clinics.
365. One new clinic was opened in 1961 in the Castle Peak Hospital and one additional surgery was added to the Farm Road Government Offices Dental Clinic. The total number of dental surgeries operated by the General Dental Service is 32, of which one, al Tai O, is operated twice yearly for a month at a time and is visited for one day a month during the rest of the year. The work of the dental service is shown in Table 30.
TABLE 30
WORK OF THE GENERAL, DENTAL SERVICE
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1960
Dental Surgeries in operation
29
30*
Attendances by Government Officers
39.018
$2,039
Attendances by Dependants of Government
Officers
42,216
52,487
Attendances by General Public
24.789
25.797
Total Attendances
106,023
130,323
-
* Includes Tal ( Dental Clinic used part-time only.
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366, Delays in starting routine inspections and treatment for persons not suffering from emergency dental conditions were still not climinated in the majority of clinics, while the situation with regard to the provision of dental prosthetic appliances deteriorated owing to the continuing shortage of trained dental technicians. The training of student technicians is developing, however, and a second class of 4 students began work in January 1962.
367. Six dental clinics are maintained for participants in the School Health Service. Over 8,000 extractions were necessary during the year, an indication of the large amount of dental caries in children in Hong Kong. Although it is confidently expected that the scheme of fluoridation of water supplies, which began in 1960 in the urban areas, will eventual- ly bring about a substantial reduction in caries rates in children, unless the consumption of refined sugars is restricted to meal times and unless a strict regime of careful tooth brushing immediately after meals is adopted, dental caries amongst children will continue to be a problem in Hong Kong.
Control of Dental Practice
368. Two Dental Inspectors were employed throughout the year in connexion with the supervision and control of private dental practice, including the regular inspections of premises. There were 4 prosecutions for alleged dental practice by unregistered persons and 3 individuals were convicted of this offence.
Dental Health Education
369. In September 1961, the first Dental Health Week to be held in Hong Kong was launched by the Hong Kong Dental Society. This received the full support of a number of Government departments. voluntary organizations and other interested agencies. The emphasis was on the prevention of dental disease, particularly in children. During this Week, demonstrations, lectures, film shows and puppet shows were given throughout the Colony. These were followed up by a continuous pro- gramme of dental health education which lasted until December. By that time it was estimated that more than 250,000 school children and teachers had received special instruction in denial hygiene.
370. Dental health exhibits were prepared for the Sai Kung Agricul- tural Show in January 1962 and for the Fisheries Exhibition held at
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