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98
never the main object of a dental health service established to
enable children to receive regular attention and to leave school
without the loss of permanent teeth and trained in their care.
In addition to the details of dental treatment shown in
Table IV on page 111 one girl of school leaving age received full
upper and lower dentures due to the results of rapid and gross
dental decay, and 30 children had denture space retainers made
following accidents or decay resulting in the loss of anterior teeth.
During the year a new Stirling X-ray apparatus was provided
and, although it was not in use until the end of June, it has been
of inestimable value in the cases for which it was used, both
orthodontic and accident.
Orthodontic Clinic.
A selected number of cases were undertaken during the year
somewhat fewer than the previous year, but one must remember
that in an understaffed dental scheme only a limited amount of
this work should be done and confined to the most urgent cases
likely to benefit greatly from such treatment. Any encroachment
on the limited time available for conservative treatment by filling
needs considerable justification and, if it is not possible to see
patients and do fillings as soon as necessary, there is little object
in straightening the teeth in the first place as it would be necessary
to take them out at a later date due to decay.
Analysis of Orthodontic Cases, 1949.
Impressions taken 119
Study models made 119
New appliances fitted 36
Attendances 408
Advice 187
Adjustments to appliances 226
X-rays 23
Patients left district 1
Treatment abandoned by patient 1
It will be seen that, with the dental staff available, a fair
amount of the various branches of dental surgery has been carried
out. It is, however, very disheartening to all concerned that,
after years of persuasion and advice to our patients that they must
attend the health centres when advised to do so in order that their
teeth can be filled and saved, we should now find ourselves in the
position of not being able to do all the treatment necessary as soon
as we know it to be present.