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66
Scalings 6
General Anaesthetics N.O. 118
119
" The most notable and encouraging feature of this
year's report is the increase of 100 per cent, in the
number of children who attended the Clinic. This is
especially gratifying in view of the fact that the treatment
they received was mainly conservative, as is shewn
by the increase of over 200 per cent, in the number of
temporary teeth filled. The value of the earliest possible
dental supervision cannot be over-estimated from
Physical, Psychological, and Preventive points of view.
It was emphasised by Mr. Hammond-Williams in the
following extract from his report for 1920—one year
after the inception of the Clinic.
"The number of young children attending is very
small, which I think is to be regretted, for I am convinced
that dental supervision cannot be started too
soon.
"The results of neglect are very apparent to the
School Dentist making his first inspection. Another
point is, that if the children were brought to the Dentist
earlier they would become more used to treatment with
the result that the nervous strain to the patient and the
School Dentist later would not be so great.
"In support of these statements, it is of interest to
note that as a result of this early neglect, less than 30
per cent. of five year old children inspected at the Schools
have sound teeth, and 20 per cent, have two or more
septic temporary molars, i.e., teeth which should normally
remain in the jaws till the 10th and 12th years. On the
other hand, children who have attended the Clinic before
School age are conspicious, not only for their dental
fitness, but also (with very few exceptions) for their
utter lack of anything resembling 'nervousness.' It may
truthfully be said that 50 per cent, of these children
positively enjoy coming to the Clinic, and they are
frequently invaluable for instilling confidence of fiveyear-olds
at the Schools.