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17
(8) MEDICAL AND SURGICAL TREATMENT.
The presence of defects having been ascertained, provision
is made for treatment as follows:—
Parents are notified as to what has been found, and requested
to make arrangements for medical attention either locally, if
possible, or with neighbouring hospitals or institutions. There
are numerous conditions, minor ailments especially, which would
escape attention altogether unless the authority arranged for
their official attention.
The number of cases referred for treatment will be found in
the sub-divisions of Table II, while the numbers treated, and
whether by the authority's scheme or not are set forth in
Table IV. "
The methods adopted to secure treatment are the consistent
following up of cases ; the provision of clinics (set forth as under),
and other items referred to in this Report such as transference to
the Open air School, etc.
The value of a perfect set of teeth is even yet not fully realised,
and there are still too many people who do not avail themselves of
the services now placed at their disposal.
The terrors of the dental chair of twenty and thirty years ago
still remain, although, as an actual matter of fact, dentistry has been
reduced to an almost painless operation.
If reference is made to the table of heights and weights
shown in the findings of medical inspections, it will be seen that,
between the age of five years and twelve years, your average child
more than doubles his or her weight. Feeding is therefore a most
important consideration in the healthy development of the child,
and this is practicable only where children have a good set of
teeth.
I would further point out that, to achieve a perfect set of
teeth, it is not only necessary to look after the permanent teeth