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were examined, totalling 1,254, of whom 424 required no treatment.
In these areas in 1928 the new entrant and intermediate groups will
be seen, together with those already examined. Thus in about four
years' time the annual inspection of all children will be undertaken in the
Hanwell and Greenford areas in the same way as in the old Ealing area.
Altogether, as seen in Table IV, Group IV, 6,515 children, or 68 per
cent, of the children on the school registers have been inspected, of
whom 2,524 required no treatment, a percentage of 38.8.
There were actually treated 2,261 children, 1,180 receiving further
treatment during the year.
The extractions numbered 1,133 permanent and 4,915 temporary
teeth. Both nitrous oxide and a local anaesthetic were employed, the
former being administered at 64 sessions.
Fillings were applied to 1,739 permanent teeth and to 14 temporary
teeth. One case of dental deformity was referred to the Royal Dental
Hospital for special treatment.
As a result of school dental inspection and treatment, the teeth of
school children generally show a satisfactory improvement from year
to year. One exception to this is found in the case of the children in the
entrant group—those who have not been previously examined. The
condition of these children's teeth has steadily become worse since the
war, and the matter is engaging the attention of public health officers
and others throughout the country. In the absence of any official
pronouncement on the subject, one must be permitted a certain amount
of conjecture in assigning a cause. During the war and in the period
immediately following, the fact that the population had to depend upon
plainer food and that certain starchy articles of diet were not obtainable
seems to account for the temporary improvement in the children's teeth.
Subsequently, the release of certain of these foods and the enormous
increase in the consumption of sweets, undoubtedly have had a very
detrimental effect upon the teeth.
With a view to improving the condition of the teeth of younger
children, a scheme for the treatment of children of pre-school age has
been inaugurated, and mothers are encouraged to bring their toddlers
for advice, and where necessary, treatment. Forty-four of these children
have been referred, 68 attendances made; 167 temporary teeth have
been extracted by gas for 28 children, and 17 fillings have been applied
to temporary teeth.
Lectures in Dental Hygiene have now become a routine part of
the work. Half-hour talks are given in the schools on the occasion of
the dental inspection, to all children over the age of 7, instructing them
in the proper use of the tooth brush, and explaining in a simple way the
process of decay and how it can be prevented and remedied. A special
point is made of attempting to eliminate that element of fear which is
frequently so prevalent regarding a "visit to the dentist"; the danger
of over-indulgence in sweets and the desirability of eating more fruit
are also emphasised. A great deal has yet to be accomplished in overcoming
the ignorance of the parents and breaking down the prejudice
against accepting dental treatment for their children, but the result of
these lectures has been most encouraging. They will be repeated each
year, as the success of any propaganda depends upon its constant
repetition.
Systematic dental treatment has now been begun for expectant
and nursing mothers, and all forms of conservative and prosthetic
treatment are undertaken. One session a week is devoted to this work
and 49 mothers have been referred for examination. Attendances to
the number of 156 were made. Nitrous oxide was administered to
29 and a local anaesthetic to 7 for the extraction of 204 teeth. Twenty
fillings and ten dressings were applied and eight mothers had their
teeth scaled.