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173
The record of inspections and treatments compares favourably
with that of the previous year, and it is satisfactory that the
conservative treatments have increased. The number of fillings
inserted was 265, which is an increase of 53. The extractions
have been reduced from 2,274 in 1934 to 2,099 this year. Three
more sessions were devoted to treatment.
Once again it has been impossible for the dental officers to
visit all the Centres to examine the young children and advise
mothers regarding the dental troubles of their infants. At the
Centres the mothers are given a short talk by the dental officer,
who explains the value of correct diet, shows various charts
depicting healthy and diseased structures, and distributes
pamphlets on the dental care of the infant.
It is still evident that many mothers have not yet realised
that with the eruption of teeth food of a nature that will exercise
these teeth and the jaws should be given. The sucking of
dummies and thumbs continues to be prevalent, and the dental
officers still have to treat a number of infants of two years and
sometimes younger for conditions brought about through these
bad habits.
The expectant mothers treated represented 44 per cent. of the
total number of women treated, which, although slightly lower
than last year is, nevertheless, satisfactory when compared with
the average of previous years.
Expectant Mothers.

These figures show that a very much larger percentage of
mothers was treated in the early months of pregnancy. This
result is gratifying and points to a breaking down of the
prejudice against dental treatment, which is still, however,
prevalent among ante-natal patients.