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Root canals are treated at the clinic in the case of
incisor teeth—usually those devitalised by an accidental blow .
which fractures the tooth. These are preserved that the space
and root may be retained in a healthy condition for subsequent
crowning.
General anaesthetics are administered by a School
Medical Officer who attends for that purpose at special sessions.
No extractions of any kind are performed without the
use of either local or general anaesthetic.
Specials are those who attend the clinic other than as
routine cases. Their reasons for attendance vary and include
accidents to teeth, discomfort subsequent to failure to attend
when given the opportunity, defects noticed by parents to
develop between routine inspections and quite often parents
bring their children in order to obtain advice on the position
of the erupting teeth. Children whose parents have refused
treatment in the past are allowed re-entry to the scheme at
the next routine inspection providing they consent to all
necessary treatment, and any teeth requiring fillings are filled
before extractions are made, as in routine cases.
Acquaintance with the service reveals two disquieting
factors. The first is that the teeth of the new entrants, the
children aged five years, are in a more carious condition than
those of any other school year. It is apparent that many of
these children do not have their teeth cleaned for them at bedtime,
neither are they given the benefit of the cleansing action
of a piece of apple to conclude their last meal; but instead
have the remains of biscuits or cake clinging to their teeth
which, during the long night, starts the process of decay.
Realising that temporary teeth are as necessary to a child as
permanent teeth are to an adult, it is a little disconcerting to
reflect that many parents show greater interest in the early
arrival of their baby's teeth than concern at their too early
loss from want of systematic care.
The other factor for concern, which is fortunately one
which can be remedied within the service, is that there are
still many children who do not use their toothbrush correctly.
Until the lesson has been learned by all (and the school
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