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Mr. Dick reports—
This year approximately the same amount of treatment has
been given to a considerably less number of children inspected.
But it was found by working in this way that the number of special
cases, always a handicap to routine work, tended to increase.
This unfortunately makes the scheme of giving less treatment to
a iarger number of children appear to be the better one. In most
cases under this scheme treatment which is not urgent at the time
is left, so that although it is more satisfactory from the point of
view of the Dental Surgeon to complete the treatment in each
case it would seem advisable under existing conditions to do the
urgent work only.
It is gratifying to note that the percentage attendance for the
year on cards sent out (67 per cent.) is higher than it has ever
been, showing a wider appreciation by the parents of the treatment
available.
The co-operation of all Head Teachers is much appreciated,
and I have to thank them for their help during routine inspections
at the schools.
Miss Gubb reports—
During the year 1929 twelve schools were inspected and ten
treated, and the eleventh started before the end of the year.
The attendance has been very well maintained, and I think
even shows a steady, if slow, inclination to improve.
The inspection of fewer schools and giving more complete
treatment to fewer children only tends, if anything, to increase
the number of "specials," so does not ease the situation at all in
trying to deal with the number of children requiring treatment.
The appointment of the Maternity and Child Welfare Dental
Surgeon to whole time office will gradually make a considerable
improvement in the dental condition of school entrants, who will
then require much less dental treatment as they merge into the
School Medical Service.
I wish to express my thanks again to all Head Teachers for
their kind and helpful co-operation at the Dental inspections, and
also their great help in advising parents to accept dental treatment.
Miss Glasstone reports—
During the past twelve months I have had under my care
the treatment of six schools, totalling approximately 5,600 children
between the ages of 4 and 14 years. Of these about 80 per
cent. were found to have carious mouths. This high percentage
is due to the fact that children between the ages of 4—6 years
have never had the advantage of dental treatment before, which
goes to prove how essential conservative treatment is for
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