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291
Some of the parents are unable to pay 15s. 0d., which is
the cost of treatment, and these are treated as far as possible
by extraction of teeth only.
It would appear desirable that as orthodontia in the school
dental service has passed the empirical stage it should be placed
on the same basis as other branches of orthopaedics, and cases
should be treated not necessarily on the ability to pay, but treatment
should be available for all, so that children of indigent
parents may be treated free of charge or at a specially reduced
fee.
Many cases of malocclusion have a direct bearing on health,
and it is expedient that all children whose dental deformity is
associated with mouth breathing, enlarged tonsils, malnutrition
and speech defects due to contracted arches should have the
necessary orth0dontic treatment.
The total number of children treated since the inception of
the scheme five years ago is 702. Of this total, 499 have been
treated by special appliances and 203 by extraction of permanent
teeth. The number of such teeth extracted for the purpose of
relieving overcrowding was 49. The sessions devoted to
orthodontia totalled 43, as compared with 39 in 1935. Extra
verbal appointments reached a total of 1,501.
During the year 256 removable and five fixed appliances
were fitted. The fixed appliances inserted were in the nature of
splints for cases of linguoversion of upper incisor teeth. The
treatment of some cases may take as long as two years, and
despite the fact that a large number of new cases were taken on
during the year 72 treatments were completed.
Summary of Treatment Carried Out During the Year.
Number of children under treatment during the year 261
Number of children whose treatment was completed 72
Number of removable appliances fitted 256
Number of fixed appliances fitted 5
Number of mouth screens fitted 3
Number of Friel's lip discs given for lip exercises 26
Number of cases X-rayed 26
Number of sessions devoted to orthodontia 43
Number of attendances 937
The orth0dontic session is held on Monday mornings from
10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., and two dental officers devote one session
per week to this important work.