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141
Dental inspection is carried out at the schools so that every
child in the routine age-groups is inspected once a year. At
inspection is the opportunity to talk to the children and get them
to realise the importance of dental cleanliness.
The treatment is carried out so that pain is almost nonexistent.
Injections are given for the extraction of most temporary
teeth and some permanent teeth, and gas is administered in
the case of septic temporary teeth and the majority of permanent
teeth. Gas is also given for all extractions when the patient is
very nervous or hyper-sensitive. Injections are also given for
sensitive fillings in permanent teeth. Gradually the antipathy of
parents to fillings is being overcome, and it is interesting to record
that nearly 300 more permanent teeth were filled than in 1535.
Regulation of the permanent teeth is carried out by judicious
extraction or by the making of regulation plates, and some very
striking results have been obtained. This work is very important,
as it restores the teeth to their normal function, that is to provide
perfect mastication, and definitely improves the appearance of the
child, often in a very remarkable manner. The more difficult
cases are referred to the London Hospital or to Guy's Hospital.
The percentage of children with sound mouths is 38%, which
figure compares very favourably with the 22% of the other County
Boroughs of England and Wales.
The increase (percentage) in the number of children who have no dental defects for the past
five years is shown in the following table:—
Year
Percentage of children
with sound mouths
(Ages 5—12 years incl.)
1932
29%
1933
31%
1934
32%
1935
34%
1936
38%
Maternity and Child Welfare Centres.
Details of the dental work in connection with the Maternity
and Child Welfare Centres are shewn in the following table:—