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33
REPORT OF DENTAL SURGEON.
The Medical Officer of Health,
Borough of Poplar.
Sir,
I beg to submit my Annual Report of Dental Work at the Tuberculosis
Dental Clinic for the year 1924.
Though the amount of work is not as great as we should like, our
figures, herewith, show a steady increase. The number of attendances is
not very great, but during the last few months it has shown a decided
growth.
I account for the low attendance in two ways. Firstly, the health
and condition of the patients is such that, and varies so that, though
they attend on one occasion it is all too likely that they will be unable
to attend the next. Secondly, there appears to be a certain amount
of overlapping between sanatorium treatment and dental treatment. It
happens very frequently that patients are sent to sanatoria before
their dental treatment is completed, and in many instances have to
wait till their return home. The arrangement, I conjecture, reduces
the benefit of both forms of treatment, and, as far as I can see, can
only be obviated by the provision of dental treatment at sanatoria.
Authority to supply dentures is sought where the need of them is
found, and dentures are supplied at the same scale as that in force in
the Maternity and Child Welfare Dental Clinic.
The condition of the majority of the patients necessitates more
careful handling than the treatment of those in normal health, and I
have found that some signs of shock are noticeable if too much work is
carried out at one sitting. To prevent this, treatment ihas been modified
to a certain extent, and great care is taken lest a bad impression is left
on the mind of the patient. I wish to express my thanks for the help
and assistance I have always received in my work at the Tuberculosis
Dental Clinic, and beg to remain, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
C. HAMMOND WILLIAMS, L.D.S., R.C.S., Eng.