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11
With reference to the dental treatment, summarised in
Table IV., Dr. Betty C. Hamilton, School Dental Officer,
furnishes the following observations:—
"During the year 1932 there was a slight increase compared
with previous years in the number of children whose
parents consented to have their children's teeth treated at
the School Clinic. A certain proportion of the remainder
attend a private dentist, and those who can afford private
treatment are encouraged to do so.
"The opening of the new School Clinic has made dental
work much more easily organised, although the time lost
during the removal from the old Clinic to the new caused a
certain delay in the round of inspection and treatment.
"The Head Teachers have given their help In reducing the
number of special inspections of casual applicants for treatment,
and emphasis is placed on the necessity of accepting
full treatment at the time of inspection.
"The number of actual attendances during 1932 is less
than in previous years; but it is now considered advisable to
complete the dental treatment of each child in as few visits
as possible, considering the nature of the work and the wellbeing
of the child.
"It will be noted that there is an increase in the number
of permanent teeth filled. The decrease in 1931 and 1932 in
the number of temporary teeth filled is balanced by the figures
under 'Other operations—temporary teeth,' which relates to
nitrate of silver treatment by Howe's method.
"The number of anaesthetics given for extraction is not
less than in 1931, but it is worthy of note that nitrous oxide
gas is now the invariable anaesthetic, and it has been found
better to arrange where necessary for two administrations of
nitrous oxide on two different occasions rather than to submit
the child to ethyl chloride anaesthesia, with its prolonged
recovery period.
"The other operations performed on permanent teeth
consist partly of orthodontic work, which is a service given
by the Hornsey school dentists for some years, and for which
there is a demand, and partly of cleaning and scaling operations
and the treatment of incipient gum disease."
BETTY C. HAMILTON,
School Dental Surgeon.
THE NEW SCHOOL CLINIC.
After thirteen years in temporary, more-or-less unsatisfactory
shop premises at Topsfield Parade, Crouch End, the School
Medical Department moved in October, 1932, into its permanent
headquarters—the new School Clinic, built in the eastern corner
of the site purchased for municipal purposes and lying between
the private gardens of houses in Weston Park and Haringey Park.
It has access from both these roads and also from The Broadway,
Crouch End. The situation is ideal in its quietness and central
position.