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92
Dental Clinic.
The following is the Dental Surgeon's Report for the year:—
MATERNITY & CHILD WELFARE DENTAL CLINIC.
General Comments on 1931 work.
The effects of change-over.
In previous years the Ante-Natal Specialist sent us "some"
cases. A change over in this office leaves one in serious doubt, if
this new officer could possibly have missed one case requiring
dental treatment or decision. At all events, one can write, he is an
Officer who is keenly alive to the devastating danger to pregnant
and nursing mothers and children, of what an untreated sewerage
farm of Oral sepsis can do. In no case was a patient sent to us
who ought not to have been sent. In this year, as in last year, many
were "years" after the time they should have come or been sent
for dental aid.
Advice Cases.
The word "Advice" is true in its literal meaning, but has a
further signification, no doubt observed by many, yet not written.
The mothers are getting "tooth minded." There is a greater
anxiety to know:—
(a) Why the deciduous teeth are discoloured? (b) Why they
are not coming straight and/or level? (c) If they are stopping
the eruption of the permanent teeth? (d) Any other point, a
mother's fears conjure.
Refused to submit.
It is my considered opinion and experience, that in all cases
the mother is the culprit. The home control has been wanting and
these cases are usually those of better off families, and alas, "only
child" cases. The child, in this Clinic, when sympathetically
handled, leaves nothing to be desired in its attitude and bearing to
our dental work.
I am satisfied, if the mothers would only leave these children
in the hands of my present Staff this item should never appear