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Dr. Livingston reports on this statement;—"One objection stands out strongly,
the parents stating that the teeth ' are not bad enough yet.' It appears to me that
we must lay much greater stress upon the facts of dental disease and general health
and mentality, and, accordingly, I am requesting the dental surgeons as I visit the
centres, if they are inspecting, to give the parents and children a short address, but
laying as much stress as possible upon diet and hygiene, dental ill-health and its
disasters and the need for treatment."
In contrast to this must be mentioned the case of another non-provided school,
St. James', Rotherhithe. It was noticed that at this school apparently 100 per cent,
of medical and dental treatment was obtained, and the school doctor was asked
to explain how this was brought about. She produced the following letter from
Mr. J. D. Steen, the head teacher, who is enthusiastic for the well-being of his boys,
and, through his experience in the Army, has learnt the great benefits of sound dentures.
It is a signal result and demonstrates how much can be done when a head
teacher is in full sympathy with the medical work, and goes "all out" to ensure
its success:—
"With reference to your enquiry as to how I manage to have the treatment
you prescribe carried out in every case, I wish to say that a great deal of the success
is due to the kindly and sympathetic interest you yourself take in the boys and the
great influence you have with the parents, and also to the invaluable help I receive
from the school nurse. After your visits I set to work in this way:—
1. I get a list of all cases requiring treatment.
2. I ask the boys to get permission from their parents to have treatment carried
out. I write for appointments for all those who get permission and see that the
appointments are kept, if possible, when the day arrives.
3. When permission is not forthcoming I ask the mother to see me, and, if
necessary, test the boy's vision, etc., in her presence. If this is not successful I
ask the father to see me. Knowing the parents I adopt what I consider the best
line of action in each case. Determination and perseverance win through.
4. I keep constantly before the boys the importance of good health and what
neglect now will mean later on. They understand that good health comes first.
5. It goes a long way when I tell the boys that we are the best school in London
for having the doctor's orders carried out, and when it comes to the last two or three
cases the boys feel that they are the only blots on an otherwise clean sheet and the
parents' indifference is thus overcome.
6. I do not let financial difficulties stand in the way, and, in spite of this fact,
the parents as a rule pay the prescribed fee.
7. I get help for glasses from the Hospital Sunday Fund, but only in two cases
lately have I had help from the Spectacles' Committee.
8. In the case of the dentist's annual visit we generally have between 60 per cent,
and 70 per cent, sound teeth. Of those requiring treatment I make a list for each
class and post it in the classroom. The classes compete as to which one will have all
the names marked off first. I can get every case treated and in very few is any
pressure necessary.
"In conclusion, I may say that I do not at present know of a boy in the school
who has an unsound tooth, and when you visit for reinspection during the present
term you will again find 100 per cent, treatment carried out."
Where there is persistent neglect to obtain medical treatment, if the condition
is a serious one, particulars are forwarded to the National Society for the Prevention
or Cruelty to Children in order that action may be taken under Section 12 of the
Children Act.
742 children with 821 ailments were referred to the Society during the year:—
Vision cases, 386; Teeth, 348; Otorrhoea, 34 ; other defects. 53.
It is not the practice of the Council to refer for prosecution cases involving surgical
How to
obtain 100
per cent,
efficiency in
dental
treatment.
N.S.P.C.C.
cases.