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249
Treatment of Secondary School Children.
Children who have obtained scholarships to secondary schools
are treated under the dental scheme. 32 special secondary school
cases were examined and referred for treatment at the dental clinic;
65 attendances were made ; 25 extractions and 35 hillings were
carried out; 12 gas administrations; 1 local anaesthetic; and 8
other operations. 20 cases were completed.
THE ORTHODONTIC SCHEME.
During the year the orthodontic service has grown considerably,
and the results are most gratifying. The number of cases
on the register at the end of the year was 285. This new venture
has proved a popular part of the school dental service and the
number of those anxious for treatment is more than the staff can
accommodate.
The aims of orthodontia are (a) to restore the teeth to their
normal function of mastication ; (b) to improve speech, respiration,
general growth of the jaws and associated structures; (c) to
reduce the susceptibility of the teeth to dental caries and
pyorrhoea; (d) to correct facial disfigurement which may be a
handicap to the child.
The scheme was reorganised in the early part of the year and
was placed on a sound basis. Owing to the large number requiring
treatment it was found impossible to treat all the cases after
routine sessions were finished, and a definite time was allocated
for this treatment. It has been arranged for two dental surgeons
each to devote a half-session per week for orthodontics, on
Mondays from 10.30 a.m. to 12 noon. In this way it is possible
to carry out treatment more efficiently.
During this session the patients are seen for the first time
and impressions of the teeth taken, and a diagnosis of the case
is recorded. At a subsequent session the appliances are fitted, and
after that verbal appointments are given for the children to attend
when the ordinary routine sessions are completed. These appointments
are made late in the morning or afternoon sessions, so that
the child's schooling is not interfered with. Such a system of
verbal appointments makes it possible for the special orthodontic
session to be left as free as possible for attention to new cases.