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84
The defects treated were as follows: —
Stammering 50
Dyslalia 80
Cleft Palate 4
Dysarthria 6
Others 7
44 children of school age were discharged from the Clinics during the
year. In 30 cases the speech was normal. Of the remaining 14 cases. 7
ceased to attend for treatment, 1 left school or left the district, 2 refused
treatment, 3 were referred elsewhere and in one case treatment was not
needed.
School Dental Service.—Mr. E. V. Haigh, Senior Dental Officer,
reports as follows: —
"During 1953 the two new surgeries at Valentines Clinic were
opened. They are a great improvement on the old surgeries, which
were housed in a temporary building. The second surgery at Mayesbrook
Clinic which was finished at the end of 1952 has been used by
part time Dental Surgeons.
In the past year with a staff equivalent to 3-7/1 lths full time
dental officers, dental treatment was given to school children, nursing
and expectant mothers and children under five years of age. With
the above staff, a balance was possible of conservative treatment in ail
branches, extractions, orthodontics and the supplying of dentures.
During 1953 the number of new orthodontic cases increased
slightly; this being due to the fact that it was possible with the extra
staff to do more routine school dental inspection and so refer such
cases for treatment.
At the end of 1953 the number of Dental Officers dropped from
the equivalent of 3-7/1 lths to 2-1/11th, this being due to the resignation
of two full time Officers and so far only being replaced by one
part-time Dental Surgeon. This shortage will mean that less conservative
treatment will be possible because emergency treatment in the
form of gas extraction for children suffering from toothache must take
priority.
Routine dental inspections at school will become more infrequent
until further Officers are appointed.
X.-ray facilities are still available at Mayesbrook Clinic for patients
attending either Valentines Dental Clinic or Mayesbrook Dental Clinic:
Manford Way Clinic have their own X-ray Unit."
It was possible for the Dentists to visit some of the schools for the
purposes of inspection. 3,702 children were inspected at schools of which
2,247 required treatment.
Children seen by the doctors at routine medical inspections and at the
School Clinics, who are found to require dental treatment, are referred to
the Dental Clinics.
In addition to the 2,247 children referred for treatment by the Dental
Surgeons at School Inspections there were 2,157 children specially referred
by parents, teachers and School Doctors.
The amount of dental disease present in children at various ages is
shown by the following table relating to school children inspected by the
School Dental Officers:—