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While conservative work is the aim and object of all modern dental treatment, it
must not be forgotten that merely to stop saveable teeth and to leave in the mouth
septic teeth and roots that cannot be filled is to leave the seeds of continued illhealth
unremoved.
"Conservative work.—The amount of conservative work done at the centres
varies greatly. Speaking broadly, the greatest amount of such work is done by the
most experienced dental surgeons, who, by reason of long practice, have acquired
the art of working both quickly and efficiently. It does not necessarily follow that
every qualified dental surgeon is suitable for the dental treatment of school children.
The experience of the centres shows the importance of careful selection, as, however
skilful the dental surgeon may be at actual operative work, he may fail in his
relations with the children and in his power of impressing parents with the need
for treatment.
"The Council's scheme is based in the main upon utilising the services of experienced
part-time dental surgeons, who can be more readily obtained in London
than in other parts of the country, with advantage to all concerned.
"Propaganda.—The system of dental inspection involves not only the giving of
a very short address to the assembled parents on the general need for dental treatment,
but also affords them a personal explanation of what is required in the case
of their children. This is followed by another detailed explanation at the dental
centres before treatment actually commences, so that it will be seen that every
opportunity is taken of educating the parents in the need for a clean healthy
mouth from which all unsavable septic teeth and roots have been removed, while
all savable teeth are made healthy and functional. Before the war certain dental
hygiene lectures were given at King's College, and it is highly desirable that such
lectures should be revived. The co-operation of the teachers is one of the most
valuable adjuncts, and it is therefore obviously necessary that the teachers themselves
should receive instruction in dental hygiene. It would be highly advantageous
for the same reason that similar lectures should be given in training colleges. In
order to assist those engaged in dental following-up, a short pamphlet has been
drawn up whereby each worker is provided with a simple plain answer to any of
the objections raised by those as yet unfamiliar with, or unconvinced of, the advantages
of dental treatment. In some areas evening lantern lectures have been
given to parents and elder children.
"Premises.—The difficulty of finding premises is as great as ever, especially
when it is recalled that three suitable rooms are absolutely essential, viz., a surgery
with a good light; a recovery room, immediately adjacent, and a reasonably comfortable
and cheerful waiting room for parents and children.
"Regulation of teeth.—Though no special arrangements obtain for the treatment
of dental irregularities, a large number of such cases do actually receive treatment
at the London Dental Hospitals. An investigation made some time ago at three
dental centres showed that the proportion of children with dental irregularities
suitable for treatment, was roughly about 1 per cent. By a friendly arrangement
with one of the senior surgeons at the Royal Dental Hospital, selected cases were
sent for an expert report, but only a very small proportion attended even once,
owing to the apparent apathy of the parents.
"Anœsthetics.—During 1924 in addition to 32,895 administrations of nitrous
oxide gas, as many as 12,631 children received ethyl chloride as a general anaesthetic
without a single fatality, and when it is recalled that since the centres commenced
some sixteen years ago, the number nearly equals a hundred thousand any
doubt as to its safety in the hands of skilled anaesthetists should surely cease.
Its great advantage is that where this is practicable it enables each case
to be finished and rid of its oral sepsis at one sitting. Parents will take their
children for two or three sessions for treatment, but after that the attendances