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Thirty-one fewer sessions were devoted to treatment than in
1931, but nevertheless the number of clinic attendances, as well as
the amount of conservative treatment, were increased. There is a
large increase in local anaesthetics due to their more frequent use
in the preparation of painful fillings and all extractions where a
general anaesthetic is not necessary.
In an effort to allow more time for treatment sessions the
number of children inspected per session in the schools has been
slightly increased from an average of 144 per session in 1931 to l55
per session in 1932, and the administrative sessions reduced from
28 to 21.
There is a considerable reduction in the number of fillings in
temporary teeth, but this is more than compensated for by an
increase in the number of fillings in permanent teeth. Unfortunately
many deciduous teeth when seen at the dental inspections
are too decayed to benefit from any type of conservative treatment.
Until there is a comprehensive scheme for the treatment of the
pre-school child the number of extractions of temporary teeth will
not be appreciably lowered.
Arrangements were made during the year for dental surgeons
to administer nitrous oxide anaesthesia. This has proved a great
boon to the service, as urgent cases can be more readily dealt with,
and unnecessary suffering avoided. During the year dental
surgeons administered gas on 98 sessions.
Under the heading of other operations is included sedative
dressings, scalings, gum treatment, silver nitrate applications, and
temporary fillings. Such treatments numbered 2,121.
The number of children seen at the dental inspections with
sound teeth was 5,904. When this number is added to the 6,771
who were actually treated it will be seen that 12,675 children are
free from dental disease.
At the inspection of the Children's Homes 177 were inspected
and 56 were referred for treatment. The number referred for
treatment includes children who have lived continuously in the
Homes and have had yearly treatment if necessary, and children
recently admitted whose parents or guardians had previously refused
treatment. Very few of the children who have been inmates for
some years required treatment , so that most of the treatment cases
were made up of children admitted since the last dental inspection.
Compare the percentage of 31.6 referred for treatment at these