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Besides this number, many other eases of eye disease are
seen during the year by the S.M.O. of those children who are
not in a position to necessitate their being seen by the School
Oculist. These are referred to their own doctor for treatment,
or simple directions are given according to the needs of each
case.
Teeth.
As mentioned in former reports, an arbitrary standard has
to be observed, and in the school tables only those children who
have four or more carious teeth are included under the heading
of defective teeth. Again, the examination by the S.M.O. is
necessarily a superficial one, and only obvious dental caries is
recorded. It is probable that a qualified dentist, on thorough
examination, would find in apparently sound teeth, commencing
caries which has been undetected by the school doctor.
At present no definite scheme for the removal or stopping of
carious teeth is in force in the district. Children with badlydecayed
teeth are given dental letters to a hospital, if the parents
show willingness to co-operate in the treatment and there seems
good reason to believe that their promises will be fulfilled.
The necessity for the use of a toothbrush, especially at night,
is pointed out by the S.M.O. to those mothers who attend the
inspection of their children, and many parents promise to see