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The Report on Dental Treatment will be found in the succeeding
pages, and I have now only to acknowledge once more
my indebtedness to every member of the Public Health and
Dispensary Staff for their assistance and co-operation in carrying
out the work.
TUBERCULOSIS DENTAL CLINIC.
The number of patients seen during the current year is
slightly below that of the previous year, although the average
number of fillings has increased.
Naturally, patients referred by the Tuberculosis Officer are
in a low state of health, and therefore are more susceptible
to diseases of the gums, Ulcerative Stomatitis, etc. Such
patients are encouraged to visit the dentist regularly, so that the
early symptoms, e.g., marginal gingivitis, may be recognised and
the cause removed. These patients, for the most part, have been
most amenable to reason, and have carried out the treatment
indicated in a very enthusiastic manner.
Here again, the importance of extreme cleanliness must
be emphasised. Oral sepsis is known to have caused many
terrible diseases, e.g., Septicaemia, Endocarditis, Neurasthenia,
Meningitis, and even Insanity, in persons who otherwise would
be called healthy. It can easily be understood that the presence
of oral sepsis in those attending a Tuberculosis Dispensary is
particularly' dangerous, and may render the task of the Tuberculosis
Officer well-nigh impossible.
Details of Dental Treatment.
Sessions 25
No. of patients 52
Attendances 202
Dentures supplied 3
Fillings, Scalings, etc.22
Extractions (No2) 35
Extractions (Local Anaesthetic) 85
Extractions (Ordinary) 4
Patients for ( No2) 14
Advice 38
Referred 74
X-Ray 5
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
M. MACDONALD, M.D., Ch.B., D.P.H.