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139
At the end of the year 1938 the acceptance rate at the Boy's
school was found to be 50 per cent., and that at the Girl's school
58.8 per cent. These are not final figures, however, as small
numbers of acceptances were still being received at the end of the
year.
Orthodontics.
Many of the comparatively simple cases of irregularity are
dealt with at the treatment centres, i.e., cases not needing the
manufacture of appliances. Judicious extraction in many cases
cures or improves the condition.
Long cases needing appliances are referred to dental hospitals
for treatment, X-ray photographs being sometimes necessary to
determine the presence or absence of permanent tooth germs,
dilacerated roots, or other conditions likely to interfere with
successful treatment.
I should like to see such work done in the clinics when all
arrears of treatment have been overtaken, as the need for it seems to
be increasing amongst school children, who are finding it increasingly
difficult to accommodate a full dentition in correct occlusion, in
part, no doubt, due to lack of hard foods needing much chewing,
and the full use of the muscles of mastication.
Maternity and Child Welfare.
Dental treatment of mothers and children attending Infant
Welfare Clinics is now carried out at Park House and Leyton
Green Clinics. All cases referred by the Medical Officers are treated
and the mothers encouraged to bring their young ones along for
regular inspection and advice. Even should no treatment be
necessary, such visits have much value in influencing future
acceptances and making friends with the children.