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158
Inspections.
The number of children on the register at Primary and
Secondary Schools within the Borough at the close of 1948 was.
27,724. Including an additional 104 free-place scholars at nonmaintained
schools this represents a sum total of 27,828 children.
Of these, 18,706 were inspected and 9,432 (50.4%) referred
for treatment, compared with 18,489 inspected and 9,728 (52.6%)
referred in 1947.
The above results indicate a further reduction of 2.2% in the
number requiring treatment. This figure, compared with that
obtained in 1945, shows a total decrease of approximately 11%
in the three successive years and represents a substantial achievement
in dealing with wartime arrears. It is significant that
present gains have only been rendered possible by more frequent
inspection and treatment, and unless this practice can be continued
some deterioration is to be expected.
As mentioned in last year's Report there has been a noticeable
improvement in the calcification of the teeth of those entering
school, and it is generally accepted that this has come about as a
result of increased ante-natal care for mothers, and improved
nutrition in infancy.
Though the effect of these structural changes does to some
extent tend to postpone the onset of decay in the milk teeth, such
children still require a considerable amount of attention to keep
their dentitions intact, and there appears to be little evidence that
anything has occurred to lessen the incidence of caries in the
permanent teeth.
Owing to insufficient staff eighteen Departments (Primary
and Secondary) comprising some 9,235 children, received no
routine dental inspection during the year.
The results obtained from school inspections were as follows:
Acceptance of Treatment 74.4%
Refused Treatment 12.3%
Forms Not Returned 13.3%
Compared with 1947 acceptances indicate a further increase
of 1.5%, thus maintaining the upward trend noticeable in recent
years.
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