DENTAL CLINIC FOR CHILDREN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28958, 28 July 1959, Page 2

DENTAL CLINIC FOR CHILDREN

First Day In New Building

Children used to be frightened of the dentist, but things are dif-i ferent r ow. At the opening of the new dental clinic for children in Colombo street yesterday the patients were almost eager. Instead of dragging their feet.l they hurried in They handed their coats to a nurse, who in return gave them a button with a inumber and a slogan printed on .it. “White Teeth for Bright; Smiles” said one This button,, besides its useful propaganda purpose acted as a coat check. In the waiting room there were many things to keep them occupied There was a blackboard, an aquarium with three goldfish in it which will later house some more exotic warm-water fish, lots of comics and a magic mirror, which looked quite normal until a button is pressed, when suddenly a picture of a dental nurse appeared. Underneath was the slogan “Keep to three meals a day—no snacks or sweets in between—eat fruit instead." The same message was more subtly repeated in dumb show m the foyer where a sack of “treasure” in an underwater display was filled with fruit. I In the X-ray room there were [Peter Rabbit pictures on the walls, toys for the children to play with ;and curtains patterned with a gay [zoo design. Light, Airy Clinics

i The children are treated in two light, airy clinics overlooking Iwhat will soon be landscaped gardens. They can watch the other undergoing treatment avoiding the feeling of helpless [isolation which many adults may still remember from their own childhood The nurses are trained to put the children at ease. They talk to them about what they are doing and at the end reward the smaller children with toys they have made. Some, of cotton wool and scraps of bandage, are snowmen or fairy dolls. Others are moon rockets and boats. One small boy came hurrying out of the clinic waving a red boat with a white paper sail which he showed his parents “1 got it for being such a good patient." he said His mother told |the nurse that he really enjoyed visiting the clinic. No attempt is made to hurry [the children or to accomplish too j much at one visit “We don't consider it a waste of time if they [come once or twice and have nothing done,” said one sister |‘Tt's important that they feel at ease first.”