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246
The above Table includes all the children examined at
routine examinations and therefore comprises (a) children seen for
the fifSt time, (b) children treated regularly since 1924, (c) children
whose parents had previously refused treatment. A further
analysis under these heads has been made and is given below.
The summary indicates a decrease in the number of children
requiring treatment as the higher age groups are reached, due
to the fact that they have been under treatment for a number of
years. It is interesting to note that the sexes show little difference,
also the remarkable similarity in the figures for the two years,
with the exception of the 14-year group in 1929 and the 15-year
group in 1930. Both these groups contain small numbers of
children with the result that the percentages do not present an
accurate picture.
The condition of the entrant groups—the five and six-year old
children—still remains bad, and must be attributed to neglect in
pre-school years. The addition of a third dentist has made
possible more frequent visits to centres, where special attention is
being paid to instruction in oral hygiene in " toddlers." This
work should have the effect of improving the condition of the
teeth of future five and six-year old entrants, but it will be necessary
for mothers to appreciate the importance of dental fare
during the pre-school years, before much progress will become
evident.

The above Table requires little comment, save that of the
7.9% children found to be healthy in spite of refusal to obtain
treatment when advised, it is possible that parents later did obtain
treatment as the result of pain.