View report page

57
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
for the
YEAR 1936,
on
DENTAL WORK in connection with SCHOOL CHILDREN,
EXPECTANT and NURSING MOTHERS and CHILDREN
under 5 years.
By E. A. JENNINGS, L.D.S., R.C.S.Eng.
There has been no further development or extension to the services during the year.
The work has continued along similar lines to that of the previous year and has been operated
by the same four dental officers, nurses and anæsthetist.
Radiology.
Radiographic evidence of the condition of the teeth is now regarded as an essential preliminary
to clinical examination and treatment. X-ray apparatus has become an indispensable part of the
dental surgeon's armamentarium and the taking of X-ray photographs a routine practice.
By this means, unsuspected disease tissue associated with root fragments, infected teeth, cysts
and all such pathological conditions, which so insidiously undermine the health of the individual, are
brought to light and adequately dealt with by the most suitable treatment.
The Council attempted to meet these requirements in 1934, when negotiations were carried
through for the X-ray of dental patients at the Willesden General Hospital.
These facilities have proved to be a valuable aid in securing efficiency and accuracy in treatment,
and have been appreciated by the dental officers, parents and patients.
These few general remarks concerning the use of X-ray in dental practice are, of course, common
knowledge, but it is not so generally understood that these same methods offer invaluable means of
disclosing incipient caries of the teeth, particularly in children.
Some of the most vulnerable areas of decay (interstitial caries) defy detection even by experienced
persons working with the usual instruments. These areas readily come into view in Radiographs,
and means can be adopted of easily and quickly preserving innumerable teeth, which would
otherwise be decayed beyond repair, or at least extensively diseased.
It is to these latter remarks that one desires particularly to direct attention namely, the value
of Radiography in the elementary school dental service as a part of the scheme of preventive dentistry.
The Board of Education recognises the value of detecting early caries and sanctions the installation
of complete X-ray outfits by local authorities at their Health Centres.
Willesden, sooner or later, will need to consider such an extension for the benefit of the community
under their care.
The Year's Work.
The total working sessions for the year amounted to 1,974, which were utilized as follows:—
Treatment sessions at the Centre 1,610
Routine inspection sessions 337
Administrative sessions 27
Total 1,974
Sessions lost on account of sickness 25
Total sessions attended by anaesthetist 186
21,858 mothers, infants, elementary and secondary scholars were inspected.
15,419 or 70 per cent. were defective and 5,606 or 36 per cent, were treated at the Centres.
15,118 teeth were extracted, 9,030 fillings done and 6,540 sundry operations, making a total of
30,688 treatments.
17,550 attendances were registered by these patients.
A summary of the work is given in the Table (No. 38) below, with comparative figures for the
two preceding years.