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Education. Once again I stress that, in my opinion, a
few lectures arranged by the Senior County Dental Officer
to parents and the older school age groups would do
much towards the dental hygiene of your Borough.
Orthodontic Treatment. The treatments in this branch
are behind hand, brought about chiefly by the County
Dental Laboratory being unable, until recently, to cope
with making the necessary appliances. Headway is
again being made.
Cases of Interest. A child aged about five years
presented a very thickened upper lip. On examination
the upper aspect of the orbicularis oris was found to be
adhering to the pre-maxilla area and the lower incisors
biting into it. This appears to be a rare congenital
condition and it was referred to hospital for surgical
interference.
Many parents are bringing their children showing
green pigmentation of the deciduous teeth and brown
pigmentation of the dentine in permanent teeth. Recent
investigation has been carried out upon the green pigmentation
and it appears to have been established that
the Rhesus factor is responsible. Of the brown staining,
research appears to have established that fluorine in the
water supply is responsible. No doubt the fluorine in
the water supply of your Borough has already received
your attention.
I have received every assistance in the running of
the clinics and to you, personally, I express my thanks
for the help you have given.
Cleanliness Inspections.
(See Table V.)
During the year the School Nurses carried out
15,921 examinations of children in Schools and 323 were
found to have some infestation with vermin. In nearly
all cases, the condition was cleared up by parents who
were assisted, where necessary, by the School Nurses.
The infestation rate is commendably low and speaks well
for the standard of child care in the Borough.
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