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112
The Rontine.
Concisely, it is as follows:—
A report is obtained from the head teacher of the number of children
(both boys and girls) of ages 6, 7 and 8; then days and times ate arranged with
the head teacher for the inspection of these children at the school. The
respective parents or guardians of these children are notified of the day and
time at which it is proposed to inspect the children, and they are invited to
attend at the school, when the Dentist points out to them the dental treatment
which should be given and the reasons for the same. These inspections are
carried out with the assistance of the N urse and Dental Clerk, and a detailed chart
of the mouth is made at the time, showing the number of filling and extractions
required, and also the number of sound teeth, both temporary and permanent,
each child possesses. A "form of consent" enumerating the number of fillings
and extractions which is recommended (and mentioning the fee for same) is
handed to the parent or to the child (if the parent is not present). The parents
signify their acceptance of the treatment recommended by signing the form of
consent and returning same to the Head Teacher. Appointments are then sent
to the parents asking them to bring or send the child to the clinic for treatment.
The treatment is (if possible) concluded at the first visit, but in cases where
there is much to be done, often as many as four or five visits are necessary.
Further appointments thus entailed are given in writing to the parent at the
Clinic or handed to the child (if parent is not present). On the conclusion of
treatment the fee stated on the "form of consent" is requested. If forthcoming
a receipt is given; if not, the name, address, and amount of fee due are
forwarded to the School Medical Officer, who deals with these through Mrs.
Hobbs, the following-up nurse. Head teachers are notified of all appointments.
Names and addresses of children not keeping appointments are sent to the
S.M.O., who causes enquiry to be made by Mrs. Hobbs, whose visits are
productive of very good results.
A daily ledger is kept of all treatment given, with date of next appointment
(if any) and amount of fee paid, and such treatment is also recorded on
the individual charts. A return of all such work is forwarded, weekly, to the
School Medical Officer.
WORK OF THE DENTAL SECTION DURING 1920.
As far as possible, the work has been confined to children of ages 6, 7
and 8, but necessarily there are many children who have attended as casual
patients because of pain, who are not of this age. Casuals numbering 476
made 752 attendances. The number of casual patients has, in fact, consumed