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114
Recommendations of Mr. Pilbeam.
1. Another Dentist.—In view of the large number attending at the
schools—over twelve thousand—and now that the initial step has been taken
in regard to dental treatment, I would strongly urge that a more serious attempt
be made to adequately cope with the dental requirements of this large number
of children.
Of the 12,585 children attending the schools, it is safe to assert that at least
10,068 require dental attention, It is computed that a whole time Dentist cannot
efficiently treat more than three thousand children per annum. It is therefore
readily seen that if any serious effort is to be made to cope with the
appalling conditions which at present exist in the schools, that a second fulltime
dentist is required. It might even be better to appoint two part-time
dentists, with a whole-time one, as it is generally acknowledged that the
majority of dentists, by reason of the trying nature of the work, give better value
in part-time work than in whole-time work.
2. Punctuality.—Although notification of the exact time of appointment
is sent to the parents and also to the Head Teacher, considerable difficulty is
experienced in obtaining the attendance of the children at the time stated. As
previously mentioned, this lack of punctuality causes much inconvenience and
loss of time. It would appear that this difficulty chiefly arises from the
insistence of Head Teachers on the attendance of the children at school previous
to attendance at the Clinic, for the purpose of obtaining the "mark." To
obviate this difficulty, I would suggest that the mark for attendance be given
provided that the appointment at the Clinic is kept. The names of children
failing to keep appointments could be notified to the respective Head Teachers.
3. Casuals.—Attention, as far as possible, has been confined to children
of from 6 to 8 years of age, but naturally there are children outside these ages
who require dental attention. It has been a practice of Head Teachers to send
these children to the Clinic for treatment at all hours of the day, sometimes
there being as many as six or seven in the day, and sometimes less. The
inclusion of immediate treatment for these children during the day necessarily
causes a curtailment of treatment for those for whom appointments have been
arranged. I would therefore suggest, that in cases of real urgency, Head Teachers
should communicate with the Dental Section by use of the telephone, so that
an early convenient time may be given for the treatment of these "casuals."
Cases of less urgency can be reported by letter for which appointments can
be given by return of post.