View report page

30
"This still too large number of refusals is due to both ignorance
and apathy. There is rarely reluctance on the part of the parents
for radical treatment, but on the other hand, conservative work
still meets with a certain amount of opposition in some quarters.
Parents frequently consult the older child as to his wishes with
regard to treatment. This may be partly the reason for the small
numbers of acceptances amongst Senior Schools.
"The giving of appointments has been reorganised. There is
now no ground for complaint by reason of waiting at either morning
or afternoon session. So far, these special times for appointments
have not been well kept. In time, the parents will accustom
themselves to punctuality, which will aid the work of the staff,
obviate the tedium of waiting, and limit the time the child spends
at the Clinic.
"The failure of patients to keep appointments is one problem
which besets every Clinic. The question arises of how to minimise
these failures, and how best to fill the gaps without undue pressure
on the staff and consequent lessened efficiency.
' 'The failures have been carefully followed up by the School
Nurses with some good results.
Although there is no special department for the treatment of
irregularities of teeth, a large number of these cases have been
dealt with. They vary from irregularity of individual teeth,
anterior crowding due to premature loss of milk teeth, lack of
growth of jaws, etc. Many parents could not afford to attend one
of the dental hospitals for hospitals for treatment.
"These have been remedied by judicious extractions, followed
by instructions to parent and child. All the cases which have
returned for re-examination have proved that this treatment is of
great value not only from an aesthetic point, but from a practical
one, rendering the articulation more nearly normal and the mouth
self-cleansing. Some few who were willing and able have been
referred to the dental hospitals for treatment.
' 'To the teachers we owe our grateful thanks for their co-operation
and courtesy at all times.
"The incidence of decay does not lessen, and there is still a very
high figure for extractions. This latter is due to non-acceptance of
treatment at routine inspection, with the result that when
treatment is sought it is always urgent and radical. This is a
matter which will have to be solved before the condition of
treatment changes from one of extraction to one of preservation of
the complete dentition for adult life."