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43
from the Infant Welfare Clinics were seen and of these, 20 were
ordered glasses.
Three children were referred to a myope school. One child was
referred for a squint operation and one child for orthoptic treatment.
Much more use could be made of orthoptic treatment if there
were facilities for training either at the Clinic or in neighbouring
hospitals. At present the nearest training, centre is at one of the
London hospitals, and few mothers have the time to take their
children weekly as. is required.
V. E. Brander.
SCHOOL DENTAL REPORT FOR 1947.
Not much useful comparison with the previous year's figures
can be made because, owing to Mrs. Behr's absence and resignation,
we were this year reduced to one Dental Officer for an even longer
period—over 4 months.
Although, however, the number of treatment sessions was less,
actually more patients, were treated. This was partly due to the fact
that the number of extractions was greater, a smaller number of gas
sessions being missed, and partly because a larger proportion of
temporary teeth were treated with Silver Nitrate. This latter course
was adopted because it was felt that, with the continual shortage
of staff and premises,, while not wishing to reduce the time spent
on the conservation of permanent teeth more than absolutely necessary,
treatment with Silver Nitrate was better than discouraging
and neglecting the large numbers requiring and desiring conservation
of the temporary dentition.
The acceptance rate for school children is 83.1%. This sharp
rise on the 65.9% of the previous year is gratifying, but may be due
partly to more cases, being brought over from that year. This also
applies to Mothers in the M. & C.W. section, the acceptance rate
for whom stands at 82.96% and for infants at 90.84%. In the latter
section, however, figures for all treatment have increased.
Thirteen school children were referred to the specialist Dental
Officer for treatment and 87 to the orthodontic clinic.
The most useful function of this report must be to stress, the
urgent necessity of solving the problem of space so that the services
of existing staff may be used to better advantage, and the appointment
of at least one more Dental Officer so that Acton may have
a more adequate dental service and that we may approach nearer to
fulfilling the requirements, of the Ministry of Health.
(Signed) P. H. Slater.