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Under the Education Committee's scheme 469 pairs of spectacles
were provided. Of this number, 20 pairs of spectacles were
provided free, and 3 pairs at a reduced charge, on necessitous
grounds. In addition, spectacles were renewed or repaired in 144
cases.
(c) Dental Department.—During, the year the Dentist paid
91 visits to the schools for the purpose of inspecting the teeth of
children.
Dental disease is still prevalent to much the same extent
among school children, as is shown by the fact that of 10,389
children inspected by the Dentist (including special cases), 6,252,
or 60.1 per cent., were found to require treatment, oompared with
56.9 per cent., 1927; 56 per cent., 1926; 56 per cent., 1925; 62 per
cent., 1924.
If all the cases accepted treatment it would be impossible for
one dentist to carry out the work. It is very unsatisfactory to
have to report that only 39.5 per cent. of the cases requiring
treatment obtained it, in spite of the facilities offered. Much
ill-health in adult life would be avoided if every child's teeth were
attended to from the commencement of school life.
In 1927, 50.1 per cent., in 1926, 45.9 per cent., in 1925, 47.6
per cent., in 1924, 62 per cent., in 1923, 53.3 per cent., in 1922,
41.1 per cent., in 1921, 50.6 per cent. acceptances of treatment
were received.