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The comparison with the U.S.A. Standard Children's Bureau, Washington, showed 48-5 per cent, of those New Zealand girls were above United States standard weight for height and age, 48-5 per cent, were below, and 3 per cent, were equal; 17 per cent, of the girls showed slight anaemia. Defects were noted as follows : Defective vision, 19 per cent., of which 6-8 per cent, was uncorrected. Some enlargement of the tonsils (in no case bad enough to demand operation) was noted in 6-8 per cent. Defective enlargement of the cervical glands, 3-6 per cent. Goitre was noted as follows : Large, 3 per cent. ; medium, 15-3 per cent. ; small, 32 per cent. ; incipient, 31 per cent. With regard to teeth, 1-3 per cent, showed perfect teeth. There was an average of 1-5 extractions per pupil, and 5-6 per cent, fillings. With respect to posture, an estimate was made of the number and severity of the postural defects in each individual, and the pupils classified accordingly into groups, A representing the best group, B not so good, C less so, and D the worst. It was found that 13-135 per cent, were placed in the A group, 29-23 per cent, in the B group, 41-52 per cent, in the C group, and 15-6 per cent, in the D group. A tendency to improvement was noted throughout school life. From these observations it is evident that the pupils of secondary schools would benefit from more medical supervision. Apart from those suffering from defects requiring correction, there is a large number who require continuous observation and definite health education. Examination of Teachers. —The medical examination of entrants into the teaching profession is now entirely in the hands of the School Medical Service. As the number of candidates for positions this year was largely in excess of the vacancies, it was found possible to demand a high standard of physical fitness, and the reports of most School Medical Officers express the opinion that the physique and general health of entrant teachers appointed this year show definite improvement. The School Hygiene Division wishes to express appreciation to the Education Department, various Education Boards, School Committees, and teachers for much valuable co-operation. A. G. Paterson, Director, Division School Hygiene.

PART VI.—DENTAL HYGIENE. I beg to submit a report on the work of this Division for the year ending 31st March, 1926. SECTION I.—STAFF, TREATMENT, ACCOMMODATION, ETC. Staff. —I regret to report that Mr. T. A. Hunter, C.8.E., Director of the Division, left New Zealand early in February on extended leave, the state of his health unfortunately rendering a prolonged rest necessary. The distribution of the staff has undergone a few changes during the year, and now stands as follows : At headquarters (Wellington) : Mr. J. L. Saunders, 8.D.5., Deputy Director, Division of Dental Hygiene (in charge of the training-school) ; Mr. R. D. Elliott, Inspecting Dental Officer ; Mr. J. B. Bibby, attached to training staff as Clinical Demonstrator ; Miss E. Haines, Senior Dental Nurse. Stationed at the various school dental clinics are fourteen dental officers and forty dental nurses as follows : Dental officers —two at Auckland, one at Huntly, one at Masterton, one at Ngatea, one at Nelson, one at Murchison, one at Sydenham, one at Hokitika, one at Blenheim, one at Dunedin, one at Oamaru, one at Wellington, one at Rarotonga. Dental nurses—Two at Auckland, one at Avondale, one at Whangarei, one at Hamilton, one at Hunterville, one at Te Kuiti, two at Wanganui, two at Palmerston North, two at Gisborne, two at New Plymouth, two at Napier, one at Waipukurau, one at Hastings, one at Hawera, one at Pahiatua, one at Taumarunui, one at Lower Hutt, one at Nelson, one at Sydenham, one at Christchurch East, one at Beckenham, one at Woolston, one at Greymouth, one at Westport, one at Blenheim, one at Clyde, one at Mosgiel, one at Dunedin, one at Tapanui, two at Invercargill, one at Temuka, one at Gore. Eighteen dental nurses completed their training at the beginning of March, and most of these have already taken up duty at new clinics recently established. The remainder will proceed to their clinics early in April. Staff in Training. —Therfe are at the present time sixty probationer dental nurses in training. Of these, twenty-eight are in the second year of their course, while thirty-two entered the trainingschool on the 16th March. The latter number includes two Rarotongans and one Maori, who will be trained for.work among Native children. The primary examination was held in November, Dr. Ada Paterson being examiner, assisted by Dr. Helen Bakewell. The results were, on the whole, extremely satisfactory. Two nurses failed on this occasion, but these were successful in the special examination held in February. Eighteen senior probationers presented themselves for the final examination held in February. This was of a searching nature, and included written, oral, and practical tests. All the candidates were successful, and in his report the examiner (Mr. G. C. Tripe, of Wellington) highly commended their work. The accommodation at the training clinic, Wellington, has recently been extended and improved, and we are now in a position to accept thirty new probationers each year. Treatment performed during 1925. —The following is a summary of the operations performed from January, 1925, to December, 1925, by dental surgeons, dental nurses, and probationers in training : Fillings, 61,506 ; extractions, 41,339 ; minor operations, 52,876 : total operations, 155,721.

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