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(d) Dental Treatment.—Mr. L. W. Elmer, Senior Dental
Surgeon, submits the following report:—
"During 1955, in accordance with the suggestion of the
Ministry of Education, the number of dental inspections at schools
has been increased from 6,455 to 12,703. This figure represents
almost a four-fold increase on the number in 1953.
"A further dental resignation occurred during the year and
this, combined with somewhat prolonged sickness and the absence
of one dental officer during part of the year on study leave in
America, has resulted in fewer sessions being worked. However,
the average of fillings and extractions for each session has again
shown an increase. An important feature enabling this average to
be increased, has been the invaluable assistance given as specialist
anaesthetist by Dr. Churchill. During the year under review he has
administered very skilfully no fewer than 1,275 dental anaesthetics.
Mr. Timmis has, as in the past, administered the majority of the
remaining general anaesthetics, nearly 3,000 in number, and without
complication.
"Of 12,703 children inspected at schools, 6,340 were found to
require treatment, and of these some 5,541 were offered treatment.
Of these cases 4,713 accepted it, indicating an acceptance rate of
85 per cent.
"It should again be noted that, of the 2,003 sessions referred
to as 'treatment' sessions, 137 were carried out by the visiting orthodontist
and 152 sessions were occupied by a dental surgeon acting
as anaesthetist. These sessions must, of course, be taken into account
in the evaluation of work done on any ' points' system.
"In addition to work listed in the statistical table, 59 dentures
were supplied to children. These were, in practically every case,
replacements of incisors fractured or dislodged in accidents. 220
removable orthodontic appliances were supplied, 12 crowns were
fitted to fractured incisors, 3 inlays were inserted, and 50 appliances
and dentures were repaired.
"Dental Hygiene.—During the year under review the dental
hygienist, Miss Watts, devoted four sessions weekly to work with
school children, mothers and pre-school children.
"With regard to the former, her work continues to tend rather
to the educative than to the practical. This is, of course, because the
grossly unclean mouth has practically disappeared in the younger
generation. This fact is, in itself, evidence that the efforts in dental
education during the past years are bearing fruit. It is evidently
far from true that a clean tooth does not decay,' but it is clear that
a greater attention to oral hygiene and a greater appreciation and
use of the dental services generally does at least avoid some of the
worst consequences of dental caries.