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271
It will be realised that the existing procedure has considerable
disadvantages, the chief of which are:—
(а) The detrimental effect on the health of the children
through delayed treatment.
(б) The prejudicial effect on education.
(c) The increased volume of work through delayed inspection
and treatment.
(d) The retardatory effect on the School Dental Service.
Medical science has proved that untreated dental defects may
have a very injurious effect on the health of the child, and consequently
the School Dental Service constitutes a very important
aid in safeguarding the general health of the children. A child
cannot obtain the maximum benefit from education when suffering
from dental defects, which have a direct effect'on its health. This
isevidenced by the number of children referred for treatment.
As regards (c) the progress of dental decay in its incipient
stage may be controlled by conservative measures at regular intervals
of not more than 12 months, but it will be appreciated that
defects that are neglected for 18 months may require more
extensive treatment. Again, in many instances dental defects,
when treated immediately, can be remedied very often in one
sitting, but as the number of infected teeth increases, the number
of visits needed to complete treatment is considerably increased,
necessitating loss of school time for the children concerned. Moreover,
there is the psychological aspect to be taken into account.
While a large number of children, perhaps, do not mind keeping
several appointments to complete treatment, there are others who,
by reason of temperament, find it difficult to attend several times.
It is therefore desirable that defects should be remedied in the early
stages.
Finally, it is unfortunate to create the impression that whilst
inspection and treatment is offered, it can only be carried out once
m 18 months. It is now 23 years since the first Dental Clinic was
initiated, and, with the subsequent years of development, parents
have become accustomed to. think of the School Medical and
Dental Services as forming part of the educational system.
Apathy to dental treatment is far more likely to be met when delay
is experienced in providing it.
Unless the educational work which is continually in progress
is followed up by early inspection, with the offer of treatment for
those requiring it, the service will lose some of that public confidence
which is so essential to public health schemes.