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Sometimes the parents are at work all day, and in
such cases the Nurse usually finds some friend or neighbour
to accompany the child. Sometimes, unfortunately,
the parents are apathetic or careless, and in such cases
it is very difficult to do anything. Eventually many of
these cases do put in an appearance at the Clinic, suffering
from acute abscess; we treat these only on condition
that they promise to keep their appointment when they
are sent for on some future occasion.
Other Services.
A number of children, 34, from the County and
High Schools have attended the Clinic for treatment.
They keep their appointments with great precision and
make good and appreciative patients.
On Saturday mornings we hold a session for
Maternity and Child Welfare cases. During last year,
17 mothers and 58 children received treatment.
The dental condition of most of the mothers is very
bad, showing appalling neglect, and the only possible
treatment is the extraction of all the teeth. We do not
make dentures for these mothers at the Clinic, but even
without dentures their health is better than with a mouth
of septic teeth.
As regards the children, one might almost call them
babies, much can be done to preserve the milk teeth
if they are attended to soon enough, but with very many
of these cases it is not until they are having severe pain
and swelling from an acute abscess that they attend, and
then, of course, conservative treatment is impossible.
Lastly, I must express my appreciation of the assistance
given me by the Committee and the Staff. I also
wish to thank the head teachers for their continued help
and interest in the dental work. A great deal of the
success of this work is due to their efforts. I would also
especially thank the voluntary workers who give up so
much of their times, often, I know, at great inconvenience
to themselves, to help us in such a practical manner.
T. S. Latham, School Dental Surgeon.