H.—Bl.

" Collective days' stay of patients for the year, 10,764 ; averaging daily stay, 134, showing a decrease from last year. This is accounted for by the fact that more patients were anxious to continue treatment at home under good conditions and chiefly for financial reasons. " Among the treatments tried, that of the administration of nascent iodine has given the most satisfactory results. " Farm Report: The working of the farm has been satisfactory. " The ornamental grounds at all times look most attractive, adding to the pleasure of the patients. The outside staff performed their duties efficiently and conscientiously. " The institutional staff have given their best services with co-operation and good will. " Throughout the year the patients have deeply appreciated the moving pictures provided so conscientiously by Mr. Morse. We regret his departure from Otaki, and are much indebted to Mr. Richards, who has generously come forward with his services in this connection." Financial. During the year just commenced, the financial resources of the Department are so limited that it will be only by the exercise of the strictest economy that a balanced budget will be presented at the close of the year. The Department confidently anticipates that all Hospital Boards and their administrative staffs will whole-heartedly co-operate in achieving this end. It spells a strenuous time for all. R. A. Shore, Director, Division of Hospitals.

PART V,— DENTAL HYGIENE. I have the honour to submit the following report on the work of my Division for the year ending the 31st March. 1931 :— SECTION I,—STAFF, ETC. The staff of the Division now consists of sixteen Dental Officers and 202 dental nurses, disposed as under : In the field, nine Dental Officers and 128 dental nurses ; in training, seventy-three probationer dental nurses, thirty-six of whom will become available within the next few weeks for staffing school dental clinics in varous parts of the Dominion. The remaining thirty-seven are in the second year of their training. New Appointments. —The appointment of twenty additional probationer dental nurses has been approved, and is being proceeded with. These will enter the training school in April, 1931. The number has been reduced from forty to twenty this year on account of the financial stringency. Treatment Centres.—At the end of the period under review (31st March, 1931) the School Dental Service was established at 1.74 centres. Of these, 110 are main treatment centres and sixty-four are sub-bases. Training of Dental Nurses. —At the commencement of the year under review (Ist April, 1930) there were seventy-eight probationer dental nurses in training. Of these, thirty-nine were in the first year of their training, and thirty-nine in their second year. During the year these numbers have been reduced to thirty-seven and thirty-eight respectively. Dr. Ada Paterson and Dr. F. S. Maclean were the examiners for the Primary Examination (Anatomy and Physiology), which was held in October, 1930. Of the thirty-seven candidates, all but three were successful in passing this examination. The final examination was held on the 9th, 10th, and 11th March, 1931, the examiner being Mr. Millen Paulin, 8.D.5., assisted by a member of the instructional staff. Thirty-four passed this examination, and four more will sit again at a later date. Inspection and Supervision. —This work is in the hands of Mr. R. D. Elliott (North Island) and Mr. F. B. Rice, B.D.S. (South Island). These officers are responsible for the efficiency of the clinics within their respective districts and for maintaining the necessary liaison with dental clinic committees. Statistics.—(a) Operations performed in the field and in the training-school from Ist January to 31st December, 1930 : — Fillings — Permanent teeth .. .. .. .. 89,283 Temporary teeth .. .. .. .. 169,263 Extractions .. .. .. .. .. 75,973 Other operations .. .. .. .. .. 128,685 Total operations .. .. .. .. 463,204 (b) Number of schools under systematic treatment, 930. (c) Number of children receiving systematic treatment, 67,652. The following is a comparison between the figures for 1929 and those for 1930 : —

The total number of operations performed since inception of the Service, 2,132,509.

4—H. 31.

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I Number of Schools under Number of Children Total Number of Year ' Systematic Treatment. Operations. 1929 .. .. .. 775 62,100 370,074 1930 .. .. .. 930 67,652 463,204