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(f) Defective Vision.—The School Oculist examined 342
children and 32 were examined by private practitioners or at
hospitals. Glasses were prescribed for 313 cases at the Health
Centres and supplied in all cases.
(g) Ear Disease and Hearing.—Of 96 children with ear
defects who received treatment, 80 were treated at the Health
Centres.
(h) Dental Defects.—The following is the Report of the
School Dentist:—
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTIST.
The year 1929 has seen a marked advance in the dental treatment
of school children, expectant and nursing mothers, and children of preschool
age. This advance has been primarily due to the fact that the
value of dentistry is becoming more widely appreciated as a result of
the instruction given to both mothers and children. Leaflets and
booklets are distributed to the mothers and lectures are given to children
and parents on the care of the mouth in relation to the general health.
The school nurses by their visit to the homes have been able to persuade
many wavering parents to submit their children for treatment.
There were many more children admitted into the schools in the
Greenford and Northolt areas during the year as a result of the rapid
erection of houses in those areas. Therefore more children were inspected
and consequently a greater amount of treatment was required. The
parents in these areas are seeking treatment in such large numbers
that it is advisable to have a second dentist to cope with the work.
The number of school children inspected during the year was 8,134,
exactly 500 more than in the previous year. This meant therefore
that a greater amount of treatment was required. The number of
children found to require treatment was 6,377, an increase over last
year of 1,831. There were actually treated 2,874 children and during
the year 688 of these received further treatment; an increase of 231
over the previous year.
Fillings were inserted in 3,294 permanent teeth and in 180 temporary
teeth, a total of 3,474.
Extractions performed by local or general anaesthesia included
1,290 permanent and 7,944 temporary teeth, a total of 9,234. It is to
be noted, and with satisfaction, that there was a decrease in the number
of permanent teeth extracted as compared with last year. On the other
hand there was a slight increase in the number of temporary teeth
extracted, this being due to an increase in the number of newly admitted
children requiring attention.
The treatment given to expectant and nursing mothers and to
children of pre-school age continues to increase. It is to be hoped that
with this early treatment of young children and with the instruction
of the parents and children in the care of the teeth, dental caries in the
young will be greatly lessened. Attendances made by mothers, and
children under 5 years, from the Maternity and Child Welfare Department,
amount to 459. The number of mothers and children treated was
87 and 159 respectively. As regards these patients a total of 246 fillings
were applied to 118 permanent teeth and 176 temporary teeth, this being
a marked increase over last year. Extractions numbered 204 permanent
and 123 temporary teeth, or a total of 327.
Dentures were supplied to 26 expectant or nursing mothers.
(Signed) C. COLENSO, L.D.S.
January, 1930.