H.—3l.

SECTION VIII. GENERAL Ratio of Extractions to Fillings.—ln my last annual report attention was drawn to the steady decrease in the number of teeth extracted in the School Dental Service as compared with those saved. It is satisfactory to be able to report a still further decrease. The progress in this direction since the inception of the service is shown in the following table : — 771 , Ratio: Extractions Fillings. Extractions. per Hun( j red pilUngs . 1921-22 .. .. .. .. 13,047 14,939 114-5 1922-23 .. .. .. .. 24.603 25,436 103-3 1923-24 .. .. .. .. 47,610 37,978 79-7 1924-25 .. .. .. .. 59,322 43,181 72-6 1925-26 .. .. .. 61.506 41,339 67-2 1926-27 .. .. .. .. 84,72*3 53,232 62-8 1927-28 .. .. .. .. 116,916 66,523 56-8 1928-29 .. .. .. .. 146,354 76,555 52-3 1929-30 .. .. .. .. 190,934 71,128 37-2 1930-31 .. .. .. .. 258,546 75,973 25-5 1931-32 .. .. .. .. 334,827 80,389 24-0 1932-33 .. .. .. .. 382,289 74,633 19-5 1933-34 .. .. .. .. 397,437 69,208 17-4 Dental Health Education. —This matter continues to receive attention. During the year officers of the School Dental Service have been encouraged to do more in the matter of addressing classes in the schools, meetings of mothers, and other organizations, and altogether 268 such talks and addresses have been delivered. In addition to these more formal activities, officers constantly engage in chairside talks, surprise dental inspections, distribution of pamphlets, &c. In fact, these may be regarded as matters of daily routine. Treatment of Pre-school-age Children. —There has been a slow but steady increase in the number of pre-school-age children admitted for treatment at the various School Dental Clinics, and the total number is now, in round figures, five thousand. Generally speaking, parents are slow to recognize the advantages of regular dental supervision at an early age, and in this department of the work attendance at a clinic is not a matter of school routine as with the older children, but it is entirely dependent on the good will, enthusiasm, and understanding of the parents. In this connection, Mr. Bibby reports that at the Wellington Clinic, where attendance is voluntary and not a matter of school routine, the average age of the patients admitted during the year was 4-7 years. This, however, does not allow for the fact that all these patients were enrolled on the waiting list several months before they were admitted for treatment. Inspection and Supervision. —The district organization which was introduced at the beginning of 1932, continues to operate satisfactorily, the District Dental Superintendents maintaining a close personal touch with the work of the Service and with the local Dental Clinic Committees. With the steady growth of the service, however, through the opening of fresh centres and the linking-up of new schools, the Superintendents of the larger districts are now experiencing difficulty in maintaining that constant personal contact with Committees and with the work in the field that is so necessary. Assistance in this direction is fast becoming essential. In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the assistance and co-operation that have been forthcoming during the year from Dental Clinic Committees, teachers, and Education Boards and their staffs. The loyal support given by all officers of the Division also calls for the warmest acknowledgment. J. Ll. Saunders, Director, Division of Dental Hygiene.

PART VI.—DIVISION OP NURSING. I have the honour to present the annual report of the- Division of Nursing for the year ended 31st March, 1934. It has been a particularly busy year, partly owing to the fact that several of the institutions formerly controlled by the Department have been transferred to the control of local Hospital Boards, which has entailed special visits to arrange for transfer of staffs ; also during the months of September and October I visited Western Samoa to make .a detailed report on the nursing services in these islands as well as the Island of Niue. Nurses and Midwives Registration Board. The Nurses and Midwives Registration Board has met four times during the year. The personnel of the Board remains the same, as Miss Muir and Mr. Wallace were appointed for a further period of three years. Reports of inspection -of the majority of the training schools for pupil-nurses, maternity nurses, and midwives were received during the year. Arising out of these reports, various matters were dealt with, including the necessity for the improvement of teaching-equipment and libraries, and questions

40