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modation and convenience are in very many centres now severely over-taxed, and
more centres are needed.
Extractions of temporary teeth show a disproportionately large increase, which
confirms the opinion based on the observation of many facts, that the teeth of the
youngest children are becoming worse, not better. This problem has been specially
investigated (vide infra). By way of contrast it is pleasant to record a decrease in
the extraction of permanent teeth and the resultant mutilation of the mouth. Very
many more of these teeth are being saved by filling methods, many more than might
be expected considering the increase in the numbers treated. This year, taking
all the averages, there were 892 fillings for every 1,000 children treated. Anaesthetic
administration showed an increase proportionate to the whole extraction treatment
carried out. The grand total of all dental operations is now more than half a million
yearly.
To sum up :—The dental surgeons are compelled to extract more temporary
teeth, for in these teeth an increasing amount of disease is found, but they are saving
very many more of the permanent dentition for usefulness and health after school
life, so placing a smaller burden upon the State for dental and medical treatment.
Mr. N. D. McDonald, dental surgeon to the Camberwell centre, has by request
conducted a very careful examination of 544 children in the infants' departments
of schools in the Walworth district. The children were arranged in age groups
differing by six months, boys and girls being examined and grouped separately,
and inspection made to determine : (a) saveable teeth not requiring extraction ;
(6) unsaveable, therefore requiring extraction ; (c) whether any permanent teeth,
if present, required treatment; (d) normal children ; (e) children who had received
treatment. Of this last group it is noteworthy that, although the statutory dental
inspection does not begin until the sixth year, many parents had obtained treatment
for their children. There were, however, very few normal children.
Dental state
of the
youngest
school
children.
Mr. N. D.
Macdonald.
The figures in the following table show the appalling onset of caries among all
children during the fourth year; the average five-year-old girl has nearly three
carious teeth unsaveable. The slight fall in the fifth year corresponds with the
increase in the number of teeth treated during that year. It is becoming very
evident that education of the parent in the essentials of oral hygiene, and diet, must
be intensified, for the importance of the influence of the temporary teeth upon the
general health and state of the child, and upon the permanent teeth, has long been
known to the dental profession.