27

H.—3l

New Clinics. —Since the 31st March, 1928, new clinics have been opened at the following places : Henderson, Onehunga, Thames, Morrinsville, Stratford, Marton, Greytown, Tikitiki, New Brighton, Lyttelton, Wairarapa, Waimate, Reefton, Palmerston South, and Winton. During the next few weeks clinics will be opened at Pukekohe, Phillipstown, Hornby, Petone, Levin, Eketahuna, Wairoa, Waihi, Te Aroha, Otahuhu, Okahune, Kurow, Southbridge, Geraldine, Milton, Wyndham, and Takaka. Training of Dental Nurses. —The past year has been a busy one for the instructional staff of the training-school, owing to the fact that the number of dental nurses undergoing training has been greater than in any previous year. At the commencement of the year under review (Ist April, 1928) there were sixty-four probationer dental nurses in training. Of these, thirty-four were in the first year of their training and thirty in their second year. The latter, except for two whose services were terminated, completed their two-years course in March, 1929, when on passing their final examination they became available for the Director of Dental Hygiene to utilize their services in various parts of the Dominion. At the date of this report (31st March, 1929) the number of dental nurses in training is seventy-four, of whom thirty-four are entering on their second year and forty are new probationers who commenced duty on the 19th March, 1929. The primary examination (anatomy and physiology) was held in November, 1928, the examiners being Dr. M. H. Watt and Dr. Ada Paterson. Of the thirty-four candidates, two failed in one subject. Both were successful in passing a special examination held at a later date. Mr. Millen Paulin, 8.D.5., of Wellington, assisted by a member of the instructional staff, conducted the final examination this year. In the course of his report he stated that " their practical work was of a very high order, and reflected credit on those responsible for their training." The staff of the training-school consists of the Deputy-Director (Mr. J. L. Saunders, 8.D.5.), who is Superintendent and Chief Instructor, Messrs. J. B. Bibby and A. I). Brice, 8.D.5., Lecturers and Clinical Instructors, and Miss E. M. Haines, Senior Dental Nurse, who performs the duties of Matron. As in previous years, the number of applicants for admission to the training-school far exceeded the number of vacancies—this year by more than four to one. The Public Service Commissioner is thus able to maintain a high standard in making appointments to our Service. During the year the syllabus of training has been thoroughly revised. The scope of certain subjects has been curtailed, and in other cases lengthened, while some new subjects of a practical nature have been introduced. The result is an improved course of training, in which the various subjects are well balanced, and which is calculated to even more completely fit dental nurses to fulfil their duties and responsibilities as officers in charge of school dental clinics. The number of children receiving treatment at the Wellington Clinic is 15,000. As attendance at this clinic is purely voluntary, and is not, as in the school dental clinics, a part of school routine, a certain amount of difficulty has been experienced in the past in ensuring that patients returned at the due date for re-examination and the performance of any further treatment required. By a reorganization of the system of keeping records and statistics, a great improvement has been effected in this direction, and the majority of the children are now returning to the clinic regularly for re-examination. A striking result of this is the very marked falling-off in the number of extraction cases. The children's teeth are being retained in a healthy condition, and their general health will no doubt benefit accordingly. Treatment performed during 1928.—The following is a summary of the operations performed from the Ist January to the 31st December, 1928, by dental dental nurses, and probationers in training : Fillings, 146,354; extractions, 76,555 ; other operations, 99,701 : total operations, 322,610. Of the above treatment the dental nurses in the field have performed the following : Fillings, 109,113 ; extractions, 59,449 ; other operations, 68,900 : total operations, 237,462. SECTION 2.—PROPAGANDA, ETC. I am pleased to be able to report that there are indications of good results being obtained from our efforts in all districts where clinics have been established. I feel, however, that if parents would in a greater degree take advantage of the valuable opportunity offered them of bringing their children to the clinics from the age of two years onwards for advice and minor treatment, and where advantage could be taken to instruct them with regard to diet, &c., as a means of preventing dental disease, a much greater amount of good would result, as it would reduce to a minimum the terrible amount of initial treatment required by the children who enter school and are examined for the first time, and I am of opinion that consideration should be given to the question in an endeavour to attain this object. Applications, which are fairly numerous, are being received from time to time from different associa-tions-and societies for addresses to be given on the subject for prevention of dental disease, and it has been found that much interest is being taken in the subject. All officers and dental nurses are instructed and are expected to take every opportunity to give talks to parents and the children. During the year, in Christcliurch, part of an afternoon was set aside, and parents were invited by means of the radio and public press to inspect the several dental clinics, where those in charge had arranged to address the visitors. Inspection. —With the steadily increasing number of dental clinics being established it has been found necessary to increase the inspecting staff, and Mr. F. B. Rice, 8.D.5., has been appointed. Equipment. —Arrangements have been made so that our equipment will be more suitable for mobile purposes. This is necessary, as in most cases where clinics have been established sub-bases are attached. Our equipment generally may be considered to be fairly well standardized now.