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75
obtained their school leaving certificate of dental fitness.
393 of the grand total of 4,634 were re-inspections.
The percentage of children for whom treatment was
accepted reached the new record figure of 82 per cent.
Of the 3,762 children referred for treatment, 2,573 were
given complete treatment, and about 500 had received partial
treatment or were still awaiting treatment at the end of the
year. The foregoing figures stress more eloquently than any
verbal statement the urgent need for the increase in staff which
is to be effected during the present year.
4,117 teeth were filled and 4,553 were extracted. Excluding
teeth removed for regulation purposes, six permanent teeth were
filled to every one extracted. Notwithstanding this, the number
of carious permanent teeth extracted per 100 children treated,
viz. 20, is still lamentably high, and, inasmuch as it is due to the
long periods between inspections, stresses again the need for an
increase of staff. Under the heading " Other operations on
permanent teeth," are included : Scalings 107, Dressings 187,
Root Fillings 21, Crowns 3, Orthodontic visits 142, Silver
nitrate treatment 4.
Eighteen orthodontic cases were treated during the year,
of which 11 were completed. These cases required only the
simplest form of treatment, and the cost of the apparatus was
borne by the parents.
The After-Care Scheme continued to function smoothly
during the year, but the number of children who enrolled, 11%,
was no more encouraging than in previous years.
Since the inception of the Scheme at Christmas 11)32,
2,272 children have left with Certificates, of whom 266 or 11.7%
have joined the Scheme. 134, or 50% of these 266 members
have been disqualified from membership by failing to keep their
half-yearly inspection appointment. It should be explained,
however, that of these 134 defaulters nine have left the district,
six have joined H.M. Forces, 15 have obtained employment
which provides dental treatment and 20 were on the panels of
dentists who resigned, so there remain 84 or 31% who defaulted
presumably through pure slackness. Thirteen members have
completed their treatment under the Scheme. Therefore there
are now 119 children in the Scheme who are under the care of
15 dentists.