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criticism of any scheme where specialists in this type of work are
not employed. During the major part of the year the assistance
of one part time orthodontist has been available. In December
however a second part time orthodontist was appointed to do an
additional session. The combined total of sessions worked being
six per week. The establishment for the area is one full time
orthodontist. It is possible that this figure will be realised in 1954,
when a second orthondontist who has been on extended leave will
rejoin us in April. The very large number of skiagrams needed for
the diagnosis of orthondontic cases is catered for by a dental
attendant who has received special training in X-ray work. By
this method the time of dental officers is saved for more important
work.
Statistical Observations.
From the 1st January, 1953 all parents of children about to be
inspected were sent printed invitations to attend the school at the
time of their child's dental examination. Previous to this date ;
invitations for parents to attend were given verbally via the child
and it is therefore probable that in a number of these cases children
forgot to inform their mother or father. As a result of these written
invitations over 40% of parents attended and were given advice on
their children's dental problems. This inevitably reduced the
number of children who could be inspected at each session. The
following comparison is of interest in this connection :
Average number inspected per session 121
1952 Average number of parents per session 3.5
Average number inspected per session 88
1953 Average number of parents per session 36
The mortality rate of permanent teeth is generally recognised
as a yardstick by which the efficiency of a service is measured.
The ratio of permanent teeth extracted to the number of fillings
inserted in permanent teeth in 1952 stood at 1 extraction for every
10.7 fillings. In 1953 this figure has improved to 1 extraction for
every 12.6 fillings. These figures discount permanent teeth
extracted for othrodontic purposes, as the inclusion of this figure
would not show a true reflection of savable teeth compared with
unsavable teeth. This is a reasonable figure but one which can be
improved upon in future years provided the staffing position
remains good.
With the increased staff of 1953 a marked increase in the
volume of conservative treatment is apparent, to the extent of
2,917 additional fillings in permanent teeth and 1,897 additional
fillings in temporary teeth compared with 1952. The ratio of
temporary teeth extracted to fillings inserted in temporary teeth
has improved this year to approximately 3.4 to 1. When this
ratio approaches the figure for permanent teeth viz., 1 to 12.6 and
when the figure for permanent teeth lost through caries, has been