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83
The defects treated were as follows:—
Stammering 62
Dyslalia 91
Cleft Palate 4
Dysphonia 8
Others 6
67 children of school age were discharged from the Clinics during the
year. In 48 cases the speech was normal. Of the remaining 19 cases, 3
ceased to attend for treatment, 14 left school or left the district, 1 refused
treatment, 1 was referred elsewhere and in one case treatment was not
needed.
School Dental Service.—Mr. E. V. Haigh, Senior Dental Officer,
reports as follows:—
"During 1954, the dental facilities for school children increased
steadily. At the beginning of the year there were only the equivalent
of 1-10/11 full time dental officers. By the end of December, 1954,
there were 11 part time dental officers and myself (full time), which
made the equivalent full time officers 3-8/11 employed on school
dental work. In addition I carried out Maternity and Child Welfare
dental service.
Full dental treatment was given to school children, nursing and
expectant mothers, and children under 5 years of age. This treatment
consisted of conservative dentistry in all branches, extractions which
were mainly carried out under general anaesthesia, orthodontics, and
the supplying of dentures when necessary.
With the increased number of officers it was possible to see more
children at school dental inspections and by the end of the year more
than twice the number of children had been seen at school than in
1953.
In 1954 a form of emergency treatment was started at Mayesbrook
Clinic when on two mornings a week any child can attend from
any school in Ilford without an appointment and receive emergency
treatment. This has saved many children waiting with tooth-ache
having to attend the school clinic and then a further delay whilst a
dental appointment is sent to them.
X-ray facilities are available at Mayesbrook Clinic for patients
attending either Valentines or Mayesbrook Dental Clinics. Manford
Way Clinic has a separate X-ray Unit."
It was possible for the Dentists to visit some of the schools for the
purposes of inspection. 8,988 children were inspected at schools of which
5,694 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 5,694 children referred for treatment by the Dental
Surgeons at School Inspections there were 2,381 children specially referred
by parents, teachers and School Doctors.
Health Education in Schools.
Arrangements have been made for the Oral Hygienist at Leyton to
give Dental Health Lectures to the Senior Pupils at the Schools in Ilford.
Two sessions weekly are being given, commencing on 8th March, 1955.