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either privately or at the Dental Clinic. 7,235 consents requesting
clinic treatment were returned—55.3 per cent. as against 58.8 per.
cent. in 1931, 55.9 per cent. in 1930, 57.1 per cent. in 1929, and
04.8 per cent. in 1928. Of the above number 6,771 received treatment
before the close of the year.
1929. 1930. 1931. 1932.
No. of children
requiring treatment
8850 12049 15028 13073
No. of consents
to clinics 4862-54.9% 6733—55.9% 8835—58.8% 7235—55.3%
No. of private
treatments promised
1813—20.5% 2596—21.5% 3660—24.3% 3393—25.9%
No. of " no decision,
"i.e. forms
not returned 1898—21.4% 2368—19.6% 2126—14.2% 2087—15.9%
No. of definite
refusals 277— 3.1% 352— 3.0% 407— 2.7% 358— 2.7%
There is an increase in the percentage of promises to obtain
private treatment, but it is to be feared that in some cases this is
evasion.
Special Cases.
1,864 "special" cases were treated in addition to routine
children. These comprised (a) cases requiring treatment prior to
the operation for the removal of tonsils and adenoids, (b) cases
referred by the School Medical Officers, (c) cases referred by the
Tuberculosis Officer, (d) "casuals" referred by head teachers as
needing treatment for acute conditions; the last-mentioned group
and many of (a) being chiefly those who had previously refused
treatment.
Treatment of special cases always presents a problem. Very
often these cases referred are those whose parents had previously
refused treatment, and when the child is suffering pain the parents
expect to obtain a special form and have the treatment done immediately.
In cases of bad history it is better to refuse treatment
for twelve months. This seems a very drastic method to adopt,
but without such a rule some parents take advantage of the special
treatment and will not sign a consent for routine treatment. These
toothache cases due to neglect take up valuable time which should
be spent on conservative treatment.