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No less than 693 of these pre-school children were referred
during the year. The majority of them were referred for dental
treatment, although 119 were for examination by the orthopaedic
surgeon on account of some physical defect. Information regarding
the children dealt with under the orthopaedic scheme is given on
page 76.
Seventeen children were operated on at the King Edward
Memorial Hospital for defects of the nose and throat and immunization
against diphtheria was carried out by the school medical staff
for 112 pre-school children.
Dental Treatment.—The School Dentist reports as follows
regarding the work carried out for mothers and for children under
five years of age :—
" Mothers.—Treatment for mothers was carried out at three
centres during the year, Mattock Lane, Ravenor Park and Islips
Manor, whereas formerly the treatment was given at one centre,
Mattock Lane. This change proved of great advantage to those
mothers living at the extreme boundary of Greenford and at
Northolt. From all the Borough, over three hundred were advised
to see the dentist. The number actually treated at the Centres
was 290, one less than the previous year. The form of treatment
given was mostly of a radical nature, extensive sepsis being the
predominant feature in each case, although in 55 cases of a border
line character it was possible to treat successfully the general
periodontitis from which they suffered without recourse to wholesale
extractions. The number of visits the mothers paid to the Centres
for all treatment was 1,091 and the fillings which Were inserted
were 157 teeth, 76 more than the previous year. Extractions were
done mostly under gas, but in less carious mouths extractions Were
done with local anaesthetic. Altogether 2,080 teeth were removed
for expectant or nursing mothers and 110 received full or partial
dentures.
" Children.—-The treatment of children of pre-school age was
carried out at all the Centres on one session in each week, very
urgent cases being seen on any dental session. It was found,
when compared with previous years, that there was no reduction in
the incidence of decay but on the other hand that an increase had
taken place in the number of teeth found carious. The Ealing area is
enlarging rapidly, and the children coming to live in Ealing show