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19
The following figures show the work done during 1933:—
Number of audiometer sessions 31
Number of aural clinics 18
Number of children tested 1,939
Number of children with defective hearing and referred
for Specialist examination 282
Number of children treated by Specialist 167
(g) Dental Defects.— Mrs. Thorne, L.D.S., reports as
follows:—
"A year's work in review should show some definite progress.
The year 1933 has been a very satisfactory one, much headway
has been made and in conservative treatment there has been a
consolidation of the whole Clinic work. There is a noticeable
appreciation of this work by the patients themselves.
"In ten months the entire elementary school population,
including 'toddlers,' has been duly examined, and all not
dentally perfect have been notified of their oral condition and
given the opportunity of prompt and complete treatment. No
age group or class is singled out for preferential treatment.
"This inspection and treatment has now, for the second time,
included several schools which, owing to the re-distribution of
schools, had previously not been inspected. These schools have
responded well with the exception of one school, and at the
second examination there was a marked improvement due to treatment.
By far the best results are obtained by routine inspection
followed by immediate treatment.
"In a measure, the good oral condition of the children at
Wiseman House and at St. Mary's Convent is due to constant
dental attention.
"The number of acceptances for treatment remains still about
stationary. The toddler and infant scholar are brought readily
when in pain, but the parents are apt to fight shy of conservative
treatment, although it is carefully explained how important the
deciduous dentition is to the growing child, and what evil results
follow the premature removal of these teeth.
"The largest number of acceptances are made in the junior age
group. There is a falling off in the senior scholars, though in the
latter the amount of treatment, in many cases, may be small.
The elder child dictates its own life to a greater extent than is
believed.
"The number of acceptances is not an accurate estimate of the
number of attendances. These attendances are highest in the
Senior Schools where the child doubtless intends to have