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(c) A child with a receding lower jaw with the lower lip closing behind the
upper teeth. By inserting plates in this case the jaw was brought forward
to normal position.
Other cases consist of protruding teeth, instanding teeth, rotated teeth, teeth
badly spaced and teeth badly crowded. These cases have all been successfully
treated at the Hospital.
About 95 per cent. of the children who present themselves for orthodontic
treatment are mouth breathers, the reason being that mouth breathing prevents
the normal development of the jaws as no muscular movement takes place as in
nose breathing. Furthermore, mouth breathers are:—
(a) Flat chested.
(b) Easily get out of breath when running.
(c) Backward at school.
(d) Suffer from adenoids and tonsilitis.
(e) Always bear a dull vacant facial expression, and, to sum it up in a word,
are of a C3 class.
It is to make these C3 children into A1 class that orthodontics are practised.
There are, of course, exceptions even in this class of patient.
There is every reason to hope that an increasing number of parents will bring
their children for this treatment as the Hospital gets better known.
3.—EVENING WORK.
At present there are only three evening sessions for day workers per week,
or approximately 25 per cent. of the available time. This is proving inadequate.
It would appear that extra evening sessions are required. Saturday is the best
day of all for treatment of these patients, but, unfortunately, we should be compelled
to forego other sessions if this were instituted.
4.—POPULARITY OF GENERAL ANAESTHETICS.
From the foregoing statistics, it will be seen that injections for extractions
are becoming very much less frequent, being only 12-6 per cent, of the total. Gas
is so popular that patients often prefer it even in cases in which a local anaesthetic
is advised.
5.—STAFF.
I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the assistance
I have received from all members of the staff.
In thanking the staff one and all, I will refer to Sister Frier's gift for making
the patients welcome and for assisting them in all matters relating to their treatment.