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43
Dental Treatment ok Tuberculosis Patients.
Arrangements were completed (temporary arrangements) for the
dental treatment of patients, suffering from tuberculosis or suspected
tuberculosis, and recommended for such treatment by one or other of
the tuberculosis officers, or by the Medical Officer of Health, at the
end of 1923 (September), with the approval of the Ministry of Health
and the London County Council. These temporary arrangements
made use of 2 Dental Clinics already attached to Welfare Centres,
proper and suitable precautions being taken to prevent any danger of
infection—the Clinics meeting separately at different times for the
attendances of patients from the Tuberculosis Dispensaries on the one
hand and from the Welfare Centres on the other hand. The expenses
of this separate administration proved heavy, *whilst popular sentiment
was against such a conjoint user of Dental Clinics (even with strict
precautionary measures against infection).
The temporary arrangements were continued for a year (until
September, 1924), when they were abandoned and a new permanent
scheme for Dental Treatment of tuberculosis or suspected tuberculosis
patients was approved by the Ministry of Health, on Dec. nth, 1924
(Inner Districts) and on Nov. 14th, 1924 (Outer Districts) respectively,
by which contracts were made by the Borough Council with St. Thomas'
Hospital and King's College Hospital, for such Dental Treatment for the
patients of the 'Tuberculosis Dispensaries, as might be required in
connection with such Inner and Outer Districts of the Borough.
This new Scheme came into operation on October 1st, 1924, the
fees payable being a flat rate of (not exceeding) 5s. per attendance, with
an additional fee for anaesthetic of 5s. per attendance for extractions,
scalings, fillings and other dental treatment, excluding dentures, which
are charged for as follows Upper or lower dentures (not exceeding)
2 10s. each, upper and lower dentures (not exceeding) £5.7
Appointment of Assistant 'Tuberculosis Officer (for visiting
the Homes of Patients) in connection with the Inner
Districts of the Borough.
Satisfactory arrangements have been made with the St. Thomas's
Hospital Governors on behalf the Branch Tuberculosis Dispensary
connected with the Hospital for the appointment of an Assistant
* A net total of £92 5s. id. for 6 months ending March 31st, 1924 (£42 2s. 3d
for the Inner Districts and ,£50 2s. 8d. for the Outer Districts).
t Dentures are paid for by the Council (wholly are partly) only when such are
certified as essential for effective treatment).