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16
The work of the Orthodontic Unit continues to expand and for
the first time since its inception is within sight of meeting
its commitments. In understaffed areas it is now possible for
the Specialist to take over the majority of irregularities and
to leave the resident dentist freer for routine treatment.
The recently completed dark room at the Overbury Clinic will
now permit speedier x-Ray diagnosis,which is particularly
desirable in the case of accidents to incisor teeth.
Inspections
the number of children on the register at maintained schools
within the Borough at the close of 1959 was 36,878. Including
an additional 48 scholars at grant assisted schools this
represents a sum total of 36,926.
During the year 76.4 per cent. of the school population were
examined,compared with 85 per cent. in 195 8. As previously explained
this decrease has come about as a result of reduced
sessions by part-time officers,and absence through illness.
According to recent returns some 7,138 children received no
examination during 1959,compared with 3,737 last year.
At those schools visited 26,145 were inspected and 11,829
(45.2 per cent.) referred for treatment,compared with 31,574
inspected and 14,789 (46.8 per cent.) referred in 1958.
As is customary at these inspections certain discrimination
is observed in the matter of selecting cases for treatment,and
the above figures should not therefore be regarded as an index
of the actual incidence of decay.
The results obtained from school inspections were as
follows:-
Acceptance of Treatment 38.4%
Refused Treatment 45.4%
Forms Not Returned 16. 2&
Compared with last year this represents a fall of 3 per cent
in the acceptance rate,and a total decrease of some 35.7 per
cent. since the peak of 1949. If for further comparison the
figure of 58 per cent. acceptance is taken to represent conditions
during the pre-war period,it is interesting to note that
the present decline appears to be one of approximately 17 per
cent.