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54
THE TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
for the
YEAR 1937,
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.
Extensions.
The question of the supply of orthodontic appliances to elementary school children came under
notice during the year. The Council, with the approval of the Board of Education, agreed to include
such provision in the Authority's scheme for dental treatment, on condition that in each case the
parents contribute towards the cost according to their means. Parents unable to pay the full cost of
such appliances are required to complete the Council's Economic Enquiry form for the consideration
and recommendation of the appropriate committee.
The work of the Health Centres is in no way affected by this provision. Patients are still to be
referred to a Dental Hospital or other recognised institutions for their orthodontic treatment.
Improvements and Renovations.
The dental surgery at Health Centre (1), which has been in constant use for twenty years, has
been renovated to accommodate two dental chairs and additional equipment.
The latest type Rathbone Unit, Model No. 1 and new Rathbone chair with rubber surround, occupy
•one window space, where conservative dentistry only is done. The remaining window space is occupied
by the other chair and is utilised for general anaesthetic sessions.
These alterations have greatly improved the Dental surgery.
The Year's Work.
There has been no change in the staff, which includes four dental officers, four nurses and
anaesthetist.
The total working sessions amounted to 1,939, which were utilised as follows :—
Treatment sessions at the Centre 1,590
Routine inspection sessions 325
Administrative sessions 24
Total 1,939
Sessions lost on account of sickness 43
Total sessions attended by Anaesthetist 187
20,548 mothers, infants, elementary and secondary school children were inspected.
16,498 or 80% were defective, and 5,830 or 35 % were treated at the centres.
14,207 teeth were extracted, 9,019 fillings done and 4,106 sundry operations, making a total of 27,332
treatments.
18,402 attendances were registered by these patients.
A summary of the work is given in the following table with comparative figures for the two
preceding years.