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Treatment of Defects.—The medical examinations at the
Centres reveal numerous defects, the majority of a minor character,
for which immediate treatment is advisable. To assist the parents
in securing such treatment arrangements are in force whereby all
facilities available for the treatment of school children are also
available for children under school age. Details regarding the
numbers of mothers and children referred for treatment are to be
found on page 00, a survey of the arrangements for orthopaedic
treatment on page 00, while a report by the School Dentist regarding
dental treatment follows :—
Report of Dental Surgeon.
" Mothers.—The provision of dental treatment for expectant
and nursing mothers was first undertaken in the Borough in 1927.
In that year, 49 mothers were treated, eight being supplied with
artificial dentures. In twelve years this figure has multiplied
rapidly, the number treated in the present year being 721. The
work carried out was chiefly of a radical nature, elimination of
sepsis and caries being the chief aim.
" The number of teeth extracted totalled 3,151 and the number
of teeth filled numbered 386. The number of mothers who were
supplied with artificial dentures was 285, while 232 mothers received
gum treatment. Gas was administered in nearly all cases where
extractions were performed, a local anaesthetic being occasionally
used in the extraction of single teeth.
" The number of attendances made by mothers to receive
dental treatment was 2,829.
" Children.—The dental treatment of pre-school children also
showed an increase over the preceding year, the total number of
children seen by the dentist being 534. There is no doubt that
the mothers show a keen interest in their children's teeth. This
is particularly noticeable in mothers who have themselves received
dental treatment at the Centres in Ealing and it is in these cases
that conservative treatment can \ e carried out with success as they
are seen early. The number of fillings inserted f ir children was 95,
and the number of mothers seeking advice regarding their children's
teeth was 28. The number of extractions was 1,595, compared
with 1,484 in the previous year. The number of attendances made
by pre-school children to receive dental treatment was 1,037."