View report page

60
The system of refusing treatment to those patients
whose parents consistently decline the Annual offer has
in the main been adopted, with the hope that greater numbers
will take advantage of the offer when parents realize
that no treatment can be obtained unless they sign the consent
form at or within a reasonable time after the Dentist's
inspection.
One realizes that this procedure is open to criticism,
but provided treatment is not refused in the case of any
child in actual pain, in my opinion it is the only method
by which we can educate parents to accept the Dentist's
advice at his inspections at the Schools, particularly with
regard to filling saveable teeth.
A demonstrator from the Dental Board visited the
Schools and was most instructive, the teachers expressing
their appreciation and remarking on the interest the
children took in the demonstration.
The School Dentist always interests the children in
what he is doing at the time of treatment, so gaining their
confidence after which they are ready to spread the information
and so aid in the educational campaign.
Mr. H. A. L. Morris, the School Dentist, reports as
follows:—
"During the year 31 sessions were directed to Inspections
at the various Schools, and 183 to treatment at the
Clinic.
I stated in my report last year that the arrears had
been cleared off, and the work was well in hand. In view
of this, together with the decreased number of entrants
it was decided to extend treatment to all the age groups, for
the year, as an experiment, without increasing the number
of sessions per week. I am pleased to report that it was
completely succesful, and a similiar programme can be
carried out next year, namely, to inspect and treat where
consent is obtained, children aged 5 to 14 and all the
children in the Open Air School,