View report page

33
The total number treated for defective vision, 523—equal to 11 per
cent of those examined, excluding those under 7 years of age—shows
that probably all our school children with defective vision had suitable
glasses prescribed for them.
Deafness and Ear Disease.—A greater number suffering
from deafness was found during the year than in 1920, but for the more
serious condition—Middle Ear Disease—the number was less. These
numbered 70, and received treatment at the Dispensary under the
Education Authority's Scheme. The total number of these children
under treatment during the year was 147.
The results are not as satisfactory as one would wish, and the consequence
is that a number leave school with permanent damage to their
hearing powers.
Dental Defects.—The results of inspection by the Doctors and
Dentists show that the dentures of the school children were better in
1921 than in 1920.
Among entrants examined, over 46 percent. of the boys and 43 percent.
of the girls, as compared with 17 and 26 for 1920, were free from
dental caries.
Among the leavers the figures were 43 and 45 as against 27 and 32
in 1920.
From the Dentist's Report on 3,140 children only 24 per cent, of
boys and girls, aged 6 to 8 years, examined by her have sound healthy
teeth.
The discrepancy between the views of the Doctors and Dentist shows
the necessity for reserve in drawing conclusions from statistical data
supplied by different observers.
To make parents realise the importance of early dental treatment for
their children is very difficult.
As long as a child does not complain of severe toothache, although
the mouth may be half full of septic teeth with roots ulcerating the
gums, tonsils and throat inflamed, the child obviously suffering from
general bad health due to pus absorbtion, yet it is difficult to get some
parents to keep the appointments made for their children's treatment at
the Clinic.
Much of the Dentist's time is in this way wasted.
No dentist can deal efficiently with more than 3,500 to 4,000
children a year, so the amount of necessary work left undone among
our 24,000 school children can be appreciated.
Crippling Defects.—There were few found, and these are
recorded on Table II.
c