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114
dance figure was 3,908. This means that we are seeing
nearly 1,500 patients more per year than we were three
years ago.
The amount of work performed for the children can
be seen from the table appended and it is encouraging to
find that in spite of a somewhat greater number of children
treated there is still another reduction in the number
of permanent teeth extracted—namely a reduction from
826 to 788. It must also be remembered that quite a
good proportion of permanent teeth are extracted not
because they are aching or unsound, but in order to
relieve crowded mouths with irregular teeth.
Orthodontics.
There is a continued demand for the treatment of
irregularities of the teeth. These cases take rather a long
period with many visits, so that the number of cases
accepted for treatment has to be limited. The cost of
treatment falls entirely on the parent and we have an
arrangement with a dental laboratory in the town to make
the apparatus and plates for a fixed charge of 7s. 6d.
Equipment.
An electric engine was provided by the Committee in
August for use at the North Clinic. This has been much
appreciated by the dentist, and by this the equipment
been brought really up to date; the foot engine we had
been using was efficient, but at least twenty years behind
the times.
Welfare.
It will be seen from the table that the service for
welfare children is appreciated and that the attendances
amounted to 326.
It is surprising how much sepsis and pain exists in
these tiny children, our services being frequently needed
to relieve acute abscess at the age of three.
Until the last few years it was not realised that
children of this tender age could have anything done
and no doubt, taking the country as a whole, thousands