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63
(e) Dental defects.
Of the 1835 children requiring treatment found by the
School Dentist, 1025 were actually treated, 841 being
rendered dentally fit before the end of the year.
Mr.H.A.L. Morris, the School Dentist, reports as
follows:—
During the year five sessions per school week were
devoted to dental inspection and treatment. In all 29
sessions were given to inspection at the schools, and 182 to
treatment at the clinic.
The programme for the year was similar to that of
the previous years and included inspection of all the age
groups, and treatment of those for whom consent was obtained
from the Parent or Guardian. All the children
attending the Open Air School were inspected and treatment
offered where necessary.
The additional gas sessions were beneficial in enabling
me considerably to reduce the waiting list and complete
treatment sooner, for these children.
The efforts to stimulate the persistent refusals to accept
treatment resulted in some measure of success, unfortunately
in the majority of these cases the teeth are too badly decayed
to permit of any treatment except extractions, but
this of course is beneficial to the child by removing possible
sources of infection.
This factor is accountable for the increase in the
number of teeth extracted during the year, together with
the additional gas sessions.
There was a decrease in the number of children inspected,
due I think, to removal to the new estates outside
the Borough, but I anticipate the numbers, in this respect,
now remaining steady.
It is interesting to note that the Entrants group remains
steady.
I did not notice any appreciable difference in the conditions
of the mouths and teeth in general from last year,
but there is a vast improvement now, than from the earlier
inspections.
The programme as carried out last year will be continued.
In conclusion I should like to thank all concerned for
their efficient help and enthusiastic co-operation.
H. A. L. Morris.