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112
time might be available for the treatment of routines. It has been
laid down that cases sent to clinics as specials should be restricted
to: "(a) children with serious septic conditions, (b) children requiring
dental treatment as a preliminary to other treatment, and (c) children
who are in pain."
The number of children it is possible to treat each year depends
very largely on the nature and completeness of the treatment.
When emphasis is laid on the conservative side of the work, as in
Enfield, it is found that each dentist is very fully occupied if he
gives treatment to 1,800 children annually. Previous to the appointment
of a second school dentist in 1931 , the average number of
children treated each year in Enfield was 2,500. At that time,
however, the treatment was less conservative in character. The
number of children treated annually is dependent on the number
of those referred who accept treatment, and the time available to
carry out the treatment required. At the present time the large
amount of conservative work done necessitates an interval of approximately
two years between the inspections of elementary school
children in Enfield. It is generally accepted that the time between
inspections should not be more than one year, and that the inspection
of each child every six months should be the ultimate aim of an
efficient dental scheme. In the case of children attending the
Public Schools and the better private schools it is a routine custom
for each child to undergo a dental examination and to receive
treatment when found to be necessary every six months. To ensure
an annual inspection of Enfield's elementary school population, and
annual treatment on conservative lines for those requiring it, an
increase of the present dental staff by the appointment of two more
dentists would be necessary.
The number of administrations of general anaesthetics for the
extraction of teeth was 202—184 administrations being for elementary
and 18 for secondary school children. The total number of
administrations of local anaesthetics for the extraction of teeth
amounted to 2,431 .
The total number of other operations was 1,019, the number
performed for elementary school children being 964 and the number
for secondary school children 55. Included under this heading are
158 applications of silver nitrate to temporary teeth, 212 polishings
of permanent teeth, temporary fillings, root dressings and root
fillings in permanent teeth, adjustments to regulation plates, etc.
The total number of attendances for treatment was 5,730—
5,548 by elementary and 182 by secondary school children. The
average amount of work done by each dentist per treatment session
was:—
Fillings 6.75
Extractions 8.85
Other Operations 1.35