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46
Treatment.
Including those continuing treatment from the previous year,
476 mothers were dealt with, compared with 837 in 1949. Except
for the fact that the volume of work decreased, attendances were
satisfactory, and in the majority of patients there appeared to be
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 alreadv opted to receive
attention through the General Practitioner Service and have thus
not come the way of the clinic.
It is disappointing to note that of the total of 570 mothers
referred from medical departments, approximately 37.5 per cent,
still failed to attend for their dental inspection after signifying a
desire for treatment. This figure is approximately the same as
that of the previous year. Attempts at "following up" such
patients give little result.
The Pre-School Child.
The total number of children referred from Welfare Centres,
Day Nurseries and other sources was 641, compared with 687
last year. Despite a slight reduction in the number actually
referred the interest shown in this branch of the service is verv
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.
As stated in last year's Report on this subject access to the
"four-year-old" class is by no means easy, as these children are
no longer regular attenders at Infant Centres. 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 threeand-a-half
years receive at least one yearly dental inspection until
such time as they enter on their school careers. Though at this