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175
Attendances of those children treated in 1938 was 877 compared
with 698 last year. Great appreciation of the Service was
shown by parents of those treated, and there appears to be an
increasing desire for conservative measures. The number of
idlings inserted rose from 293 to 392 and treatments by the silver
nitrate reduction method, which plays such an important part at
this age increased from 20 in 1937 to 184 last year.
Extractions numbered 1,109 against 917 last year. This figure
may seem high, but in many mouths where calcification is
extremely poor any attempt at conservative measures is not only
impossible but definitely contra-indicated.
Early extraction of temporary teeth, though it may produce
undesirable results, is less damaging to the general health than the
retention of septic foci in the mouth at an early age. By successive
future treatment much can be done to minimise any consequent
irregularities.
The problem of the pre-school child is a big one, but a
beginning has been made, and thus much may be ultimately
achieved.
The Centres at which patients were examined, or from which
they were referred, are given in the following list:—
Ante-Natal 391
Post-Natal 7
Municipal 92
East Croydon 79
Upper Norwood 19
West Croydon 18
South Norwood 47
South Croydon 49
St. Alban's 67
Woodside 26
Norbury 41
St. Paul's 23
St. Oswald's 33
St. Andrew's 34
Waddon 17
Shirley 25
Boston Road 43
St. Jude's 35
Holy Trinity 16
Addington 9
Nursery School 3
St. George's Hall 9
The Retreat 9
Total: 1,092
The amount received for attendance fees was £80 10s. 0d. as
compared with £69 13s. 4d. in 1937.