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The number of new cases referred for treatment during the
year was 132. This is not the actual number of children suffering
from all forms of irregularities, but those in which it was thought
that the condition was severe enough to have a prejudicial effect
on the health of the child. There are many more than this total
with dental deformities, but as the time for treatment is strictly
limited, it is desirable to refer only those cases in which the
abnormality is very marked.
The number under treatment during the year was 162, which
includes some cases not completed in the previous year. Of this
number 30 were treated by extraction only. These extraction cases
are kept under observation for a considerable time in case further
irregularity may result with the eruption of more teeth.
The number of attendances was 1,629. Of this number 354
were routine appointments and 1,275 verbal appointments. The
sessions devoted to orthodontic treatment totalled 43.
Appliances Fitted.
All the appliances fitted have been of ithe simple type. The
number of removable appliances inserted was 194, and the six
fixed appliances were in the nature of splints.
X-ray Diagnosis.
Cases presenting special difficulties were X-rayed. In these
instances it was desired to ascertain the presence or absence of
supernumerary teeth, or to see the position of the roots of teeth.
In all, 25 cases were radiographed.
Cost of the Scheme.
The charge for cases treated by appliances is 15s. per child.
Those cases treated by extraction pay only the attendance fee.
Two-thirds of the orthodontic charge is paid to the dental
mechanic for making the necessary apparatus, the remaining one'hird
being placed in a fund for incidental expenses. Except as
regards the dental surgeons' time, the scheme is definitely selfsupporting.
The excellent results obtained have fully justified
its inclusion as an ancillary unit of the routine work of the School
Dental Service.
Whilst it must be admitted that dental disease primarily
associated with the teeth may cause more ill-health than untreated