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40
a healthy interest in treatment of a conservative nature. There
was also a noticeable decline in the number of mouths requiring
wholesale removal of teeth. Whilst it is unlikely that such
patients no longer exist, it seems probable that many sufferers
from " chronic " oral sepsis may have already opted to receive
attention through the General Practitioner Service and have thus
not come the way of the clinic.
On the debit side it was noted that of the total of 1,012
mothers referred from medical departments, approximately .34 per
cent. failed to attend for their dental inspection after signifying a
desire for treatment. This figure is but a slight improvement on
the results of the previous year. Attempts at "following up"
such patients have in most cases been singularly unsuccessful.
The Pre-School Child.
The total number of children referred from Welfare Centres,
Day Nurseries and other sources was 687, compared with 558 last
year. As mentioned previously in this Report, the expansion
that has taken place during the post-war years in this branch of
the service is very gratifying, and reflects much credit on all concerned.
The importance of regular inspection and treatment for
these children cannot be overstressed, as it is only when repairs
can be carried out in the initial stages that undue loss of teeth can
be avoided.
Despite recent advances, a certain hiatus still exists among
"four-year-olds," as these children are no longer regular
"habituees" at Infant Centres, and therefore come in for little
oral supervision. It is also apparent that many parents are still
too prone to neglect the simple precaution of introducing their
"offspring" to the dentist until actual discomfort is felt, with
the result that irreparable damage is done to the foundation teeth.
In the above connection it is hoped that as soon as "staffing"
permits, a "progressive campaign" of publicity can be undertaken
to ensure that as many children as possible over the age of
three-and-a-half years receive at least one yearly dental inspection
until such time as they enter on their school careers. Though at
this early age the normal "comprehensive" treatment may not
always be possible, certain protective measures can be initiated
from which much benefit can be obtained. Such activities would,
it is felt, pay a substantial dividend, and also assist by stimulating
interest in the more " preventive " aspect of the scheme