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In spite of these molestations the total treatment sessions at the centres numbered 1,430, while 137 were
utilized at routine school inspections, 10 for administrative purposes and 11 for Civil Defence. 11,215 mothers,
infants, elementary and secondary school children were inspected, 8,711 of these were defective and 4,313, or nearly
50 per cent., were treated at the centres.
General Anaesthetics were administered to 2,393 patients during 130 sessions, which is an average of 18'4 per
session. 13,628 attendances were recorded at the centres during the year.
This work was carried'out by a staff of 3 dental surgeons and 3 nurses, and a part-time Anaesthetist.
ELEMENTARY AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
The total number of children on roll in December was 10,738, as compared with 13,963 in December, 1943.
This figure represents about half the pre-war number attending Willesden schools.
INSPECTION.
Routine.—Inspections were suspended during the months of July, August and September, so that 111 visits
only were made to the schools during the year, when 6,735 children were subject to an oral examination.
Specials.—1,123 children attended the centres for inspection.
Out of the total 7,858 inspected, 5,946, or nearly 75 per cent., were found to require treatment.
2,839, or approximately 48 per cent., were treated at the centres.
TREATMENT.
4,878 teeth were filled, of which 1,371 were on the temporary dentition. 4,953 were extracted, which includes
892 permanent teeth either removed for excessive caries or for the relief of overcrowding. In addition, 1,181 sundry
operations were performed, such as pulp removals and dressings to anterior teeth, the making and fitting of acrylic
caps to fractured teeth, inlays, silver nitrate applications, gum treatment and so forth.
It is estimated that 770 sessions were taken up in the performance of this work.
WILLESDEN SECONDARY AND JUNIOR TECHNICAL, ETC., SCHOOLS.
26 visits were made to the schools, when 1,774 scholars were inspected. There were also 186 special inspections
at the centres, making a total of 1,960 for the year. Of these, 1,500, or 77 per cent., required treatment, and 590, or
39 per cent., were treated at the centres.
Treatment to some extent was frustrated by reasons already mentioned, and the number of scholars accepting
treatment showed a decline from 754 to 590. 1,558 fillings were done, 193 teeth were extracted which, together with
626 sundry treatments, makes a total of 2,377 operations performed during 200 sessions. General anaesthetics were
administered to 101 cases.
Total attendances amounted to 1,742.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE.
1,397 mothers and infants were inspected, of whom 1,247 needed treatment.
736 had their treatment completed and 148 partially completed at the centres. 2,122 teeth were removed,
1,733 teeth filled which, together with 1,413 sundry operations, make a total of 5,268 treatments for the year.
85 dentures were supplied and there were 2 dentures remade and 2 repaired during the year.
Attendances totalled 4,304 and the estimated number of treatment sessions for this work was 460.
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REPORT ON WAR-TIME NURSERIES, 1944-1945.
At the beginning of April, 1944, there were 11 nurseries open in Willesden, accommodating 560 children,
0-5 years. 2 nurseries were under construction to take a further 100 children, and a site was under consideration to
relieve the congestion in the Kilburn area. By June the flying-bomb raids put an end to any extension of the nursery
scheme.
Attendances.—The total attendances from April 1st, 1944, to April 1st, 1945, amounted to 108,097. The
flying-bomb raids, with resulting evacuation, caused a 50 per cent. reduction in attendances during June, July and
August, 1944.
Medical Inspection.—Regular inspection of the children has been carried out by the Medical Officers from
the various Health Centres. Immunisation against Diphtheria has been carried out in the nurseries.
Toys.—The National Fire Service have presented toys to Chichester Road Nursery and Longstone Avenue
Nursery. The toy situation in the nurseries is still difficult. Several matrons have raised money for toys by holding
a jumble sale at the nursery. The Canadian Red Cross Society sent toys to Braintcroft Nursery. The Ministry of
Health yearly allowance of 2s. 6d. per child is quite inadequate to meet the toy situation.
Clothing. - The W.V.S. have been unable to give a great deal of help this year, owing to the needs of the
Continent. Mrs. Baldwin has continued to give valuable help with marking and making of clothes. The Senior Girls'
Schools knitted all the woollen garments for the new Gladstone Park Nursery.