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"The dental treatment of Expectant and Nursing Mothers,
and of children of pre-school age has considerably increased this
year. Of the former, 166 were referred for treatment, and out
of these, 30 were nursing mothers.
"Dentures were supplied to 46 expectant or nursing mothers,
an increase cf 20 over last year. Fillings were inserted in 163
teeth, and 729 permanent teeth were extracted, and 74 mothers
had their teeth scaled and the gums treated. In all, 149 mothers
attended on 483 occasions for dental treatment.
"The number of children of pre-school age who attended the
Centres during the year for dental treatment amounted to 156.
This figure is very far short of the number of children who ought
to be treated before entering the schools at five years of age. If
it were compulsory for children to have treatment before beginning
at school, school dental work would be much lighter than it is at
present, for through this early treatment the teeth could be saved,
and the need for extraction lessened and the health of the children
improved by the lessened amount of sepsis.
"Lectures were given to nursing mothers at the Centres
on the advisability of having their children's teeth attended to,
but a big number of mothers refuse to give consent to have their
children treated, as they think it is too great an ordeal for children
under 5 years. It is this thought that keeps mothers from bringing
their children for early treatment and encourages them to wait until
the child enters school, when unfortunately many of the teeth are
beyond saving.
"Temporary fillings were inserted in 263 teeth, and 226
temporary teeth were extracted under general anaesthesia, for
these children under 5 years of age."
(i) Orthopaedic Treatment.—During the year the Orthopaedic
Surgeon saw for the first time, on the occasion of his monthly
visits, 81 school children suffering from crippled conditions, lateral
curvature and round shoulders. There were 127 re-inspections
of these or other children already undergoing treatment. Some of
the cases of lateral curvature and round shoulders were only mildly
affected and were completely cured after treatment lasting but a
few months. Four children were advised and received operative