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72 children were found not to require spectacles, and in 60
cases the lenses already in use were found not to require changing.
A number of children (21) were kept under observation and
were re-examined during the year, the spectacles being changed
in 6 instances.
Under the Education Committee's scheme 537 pairs of spectacles
were provided. Of this number, 33 pairs of spectacles were
provided free and 5 pairs at a reduced charge, on necessitous
grounds. In addition, spectacles were renewed or repaired in 172
cases.
(c) Dental Department.—The Dentist has given the whole
of his time to School Medical work, with the exception of one
morning weekly to Maternity and Child Welfare work, and one
afternoon every alternate week to the treatment of Tuberculosis
cases.
During the year the Dentist paid 95 visits to the schools for
the purpose of inspecting the teeth of children.
The extent to which dental disease is prevalent among
school children is shown by the fact that of 7,594 children inspected
by the Dentist, 4,272, or 56 per cent., were found to
require treatment.
Only 47.6 per cent. of these actually accepted treatment. If
all the cases accepted treatment it would be impossible for one
dentist to carry out the work. It is clear that parents in Ilford
do not realise the amount of ill-health, if not actual disease, which
might be saved their children if their teeth were put in a healthy
condition at an early age.
In 1924, 62 per cent., in 1923, 53.3 per cent., in 1922, 41.1
per cent., in 1921, 50.6 per cent. acceptances of treatment were
received.
The considerable amount of dental disease present in children
is shown by a perusal of the following table relating to
school children inspected in the routine age groups by the School
Dentist:—