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The figures in the table at the end of the report largely speak for themselves, but it is again
worthy of comment that we provide a service which is overwhelmingly conservative in character with
very many teeth saved for each one removed, whether they be permanent or temporary ones. It should
be remembered that permanent teeth which have been extracted for orthodontia are not "teeth lost" in
the usual sense, but ones — frequently perfect — for which nature has provided no space and whose
removal is necessary for the overall appearance, health and efficiency of the remainder.
Of the total of 21,287 children first or re-examined during the year, treatment was required by
13,704 or 64.4%. The small increase from 62.5% in the previous year is not, of itself, a cause for
concern, but it underlines the fact that the amount of treatment outstanding is not reduced.
Orthodontic service
In each of the two previous years it has been necessary to report the increasing difficulties of
the orthodontic service, with waiting lists so long that some children were unlikely ever to receive
necessary treatment before the age at which it could produce a satisfactory result had passed. It at
last became possible to recruit the additional orthodontist so badly needed, and who commenced
duties in June. Much unrewarding work and time was spent calling those on the waiting lists for
diagnosis and assessment, with the expected result that many did not respond when sent appointments
after such a long interval that they had lost interest, left school or been referred to hospital by
general dental practitioners with consequent greater loss of educational time.
We have reached the position at the end of the year that, at two of the clinics providing this
specialised service an appointment can be offered as soon as the need is known, while at the third
the waiting list is now six-months and slowly being reduced. This has necessitated much alteration
in the distribution of the patients to the clinics with the greater capacity at any given time, despite
the longer and more expensive travelling involved over a lengthy period, but it is perhaps a measure
of the value placed upon the service offered that so many have cheerfully and willingly accepted the
need. It should very soon be possible to arrange attendance at the nearest and most convenient
clinic again, for new cases if not for those whose treatment has been started.
Dental Inspections and Treatment
Pupils first inspected at school 15,152
Pupils first inspected at clinic 3,836
Pupils re-inspected 2,300
Number found to require treatment 13,704
Number of fillings:
Permanent teeth 12,522
Temporary teeth 8,719
Number of teeth filled:
Permanent teeth 10,760
Temporary teeth 7,906
Extractions:
Permanent teeth unsavable 410
Permanent teeth orthodontia 368
Temporary teeth 3,736
General anaesthetics 1,365
Number of dentures supplied 26
Number of crowns and inlays 23
Number of teeth root filled 33
Number of prophylaxes 1,410
Number of teeth otherwise conserved 707
Other Operations 4,488
Orthodontic Treatment
Cases remaining from previous year 170
New cases commenced during year 148
Number of appliances fitted:
Removable 300
Fixed 18
Number of impressions, adjustments etc. 3,496
Number of radiographs 2,733
Appointments and Sessions
Attendances for treatment 25,249
Appointments not kept 5,632
Number of half-day sessions devoted to:
Inspections in schools 184
Treatment 3,749
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