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Mr. Dick reports—
The work for the year shows little variation from previous
years. It is still to be regretted that the number of extractions
required leaves little time for much conservative work that is
necessary.
Parents on the whole are most appreciative of the work done
and are, I think, beginning to realise that conservative work is
beneficial. Cases of refusals to have fillings done are rare.
The number of "Specials" sent up by Head Teachers continues
to remain a high figure. An appreciable number of these are not
really "Specials" and I would ask Heads of departments only to
send urgent cases.
The co-operation of Head Teachers is gratefully recognised,
"being most helpful at all times, but especially during routine
examination at the school.
Miss Gubb reports:—
The work for the year has been carried out on similar lines
to the preceding years, consisting of the Annual Inspections,
treatment and re-treatment of the children between the ages of
6-8 years inclusive, and exceptional cases of all ages.
There is very little variation from year to year. The attendance
remains at practically the same average for each year, with
perhaps a slight tendency to improve with the better understanding
of the parents of the meaning of Dental treatment.
There are still quite a large number of parents who consider
conservative work of both temporary and permanent dentition
unnecessary and would consider extractions preferable in all cases,
unless continual explanation of the importance of conservative
work in the mouth is pointed out to them.
Several children have been referred to the Royal Dental
Hospital for Orthodontic work (regulation of teeth) with very
satisfactory results to both parents and children.
It would seem that perhaps from some few children who have
been found to ask at school for a "Clinic Card" to attend the
Clinic without seeking relief for some gross defect or severe
toothache, that the children themselves are perhaps beginning to
take an intelligent interest in the condition of their teeth, but on
the other hand this hope has been frequently dashed to the ground
by elucidating the fact from the child that it is seeking to
escape some uncongenial task and is choosing the lesser of two
evils.
I wish again to express my thanks to the Head Teachers who
have assisted in every way by their kind help and co-operation.
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