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It will now be noticed that the figures have varied but little from the previous year. The
number of extractions has increased by 354, and the number of fillings decreased by 471.
The average work done on a sessional basis is set out in the following Table together with the
years 1934 and 1935.

Anesthetics.
186 general anaesthetic sessions were held, during which 4,127 cases were treated; an average of
22 per session. Included in this figure are a number of pulp extirpations and cavity preparations.
The method of administration was the same as previously, namely, nasal gas oxygen, supplemented
occasionally, in the cases of young children, with ethyl chloride spray. Local anæsethetics
were used on 777 occasions, a figure exceeding the previous year by 458. The majority of these cases
were for cavity preparations in conservative dentistry and not for tooth extraction, which continues
to decrease in favour of general anæsthetics.
ELEMENTARY, NURSERY AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
Inspection.
Routine.—16,338 children out of an approximate school population of 21,000 were inspected
during 305 visits, an average of 53 examinations per session. 12,249 children or 75 per cent, were
found defective and referred for treatment.
Complete recording of all defects found was done, and pamphlets issued as in former years.
The invitations sent to parents to be present at the schools were accepted in large numbers at the
infant and the junior schools.
Special Cuses.—1,535 children attended the Centres for inspection, an advance of 191 over last
year's equivalent.
Included in this number are many children who attended for advice between periods of their
routine inspections and treatments, and were not all cases of neglect as is usually surmised.
Treatment.
Out of the total of 12,249 children referred as defective, 4,129 received treatment at the Centres,
an acceptance rate of 33.7 per cent. Parents are not so negligent of their children's teeth as this
rate suggests. Easier facilities to attend the Centres for treatment are necessary.
It must be pointed out, however, that the present staff could not deal with a further influx of
children in addition to the 2,500 odd secondary school children brought into the scheme last year.
9,291 teeth were extracted of which 1,433 were permanent. 5,693 fillings were done on permanent
teeth and 763 on temporary, making a total of 6,456. In addition, 3,518 sundry treatments
were performed. These include root fillings to anterior teeth, gum treatments, dressings of zinc oxide
and sedatives, together with silver nitrate applications to temporary dentitions. 10,639 attendances
for treatment were registered at the Centres.
Treatment sessions totalled 1,062, and the average work done is indicated in the Table below.