View report page

61
Mr. H. A. L. Morris, the School Dentist, reports as
follows:—
"During the year the time given to Inspection and
Treatment was five sessions of 2½ hours each per school
week, directed to children aged 5 to 12, also all the children
in the Open-Air School, and "Specials" (i.e., children not
eligible for routine treatment referred by the School Medical
Officer, etc.).
"The time and programme of work for the year was
similar to the year 1930. The extension, to include another
age group, was inadvisable owing to the arrears of work,
and in view of the number of sessions not being increased.
I am pleased to be able to report that the arrears have now
been cleared off and the work is well in hand.
"Treatment was available shortly after the inspections
at the Schools. This is most satisfactory in several ways.
"In the first place, any urgent cases seen at the School
Inspection can be dealt with immediately in a routine
manner. Conservative work (fillings) executed in the early
stages prevents a lot of tooth destruction, and does not
occupy so much time.
"Secondly, the nature of the treatment coincides with
the condition of the mouth as described to the parent at the
inspection, whereas when a long interval elapses between
Inspection and Treatment the condition of the mouth naturally
varies.
"Thirdly, any septic condition is quickly followed up
and remedied.
"The reason why a larger number of children were
treated is due partly to the increase in the number of gas
cases dealt with during the additional time given to gas
sessions, and also to the increase in the number of retreated
cases, that is, children who have previously been
rendered dentally fit, and who consequently require very
little treatment.
"The number of permanent teeth extracted, while
showing a steady percentage decrease, is still more than I
should wish; but, unfortunately, we shall always have
people who do not consent to treatment until the children
have toothache, and by that time the tooth is unsaveable.
"The percentage actually treated compares very
favouraby with most dental reports,"