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34
1936 after two years' working owing to the inability of the dental laboratory at
St. James' hospital, Balham, to provide the necessary appliances, an experimental
scheme was commenced by Miss E. M. Still, L.D.S., of the Bermondsey Medical
Mission hospital dental centre, who undertook the treatment of orthodontic defects
mainly by means of fixed appliances, most of which she was able to make in her own
laboratory. This method proved most successful, and as a result the Council decided
to extend the work, and to appoint Miss Still and Miss L. M. Clinch, L.D.S., as
orthodontists in the public health department each on 5 half days a week, as from
1st April, 1937. Eight centres were equipped for the work, including the one already
in operation at Bermondsey Medical Mission hospital, 4 south of the river, and 4 on
the north. Miss Still undertakes the work at the former, and Miss Clinch at the latter
centres. A central workshop was also equipped at 123, Peckham-road, S.E., where
the orthodontists attend each on one session a week to deal with the construction
of the appliances, which are mainly made of stainless steel. The eight centres referred
to are at Bermondsey Medical Mission hospital, Deptford, St. Christopher (Battersea),
and Stockwell on the south side and Hackney, Hammersmith, Paddington and
Whitechapel on the north. A specially trained nurse assists each orthodontist at the
centres and at the workshop, and she helps in the making of the plaster models, etc.
In certain instances, where removable appliances are necessary, the models are
forwarded to the central dental laboratory where it is now possible for the mechanics
to construct a limited number of orthodontic appliances in addition to their normal
denture work in connection with the general hospitals. The scheme is proceeding
satisfactorily and the attendances of the children have been excellent. In fact,
almost every instance of failure to attend was due to illness.
From 1st April to the 31st December, 1937, the number of new cases seen at
the 8 centres was 657 and 2,929 attendances were made. Fixed appliances were made
for 353 of the children, and for 44, removable appliances were provided. The number
in which treatment was completed and the children discharged was 126, and 56
were found to be unsuitable for treatment. The remaining 475 children were still
under treatment at the end of the year.
Where it is necessary for X-ray photographs to be available in order to ascertain
the position of unerupted teeth, the children are referred to one or other of the
Council's general hospitals for the films to be taken. Plaster models are made in all
cases under treatment and observation, and these are retained for reference at each
centre. Before children are finally discharged their mouths are again examined; and,
if conservative treatment has become necessary, they are referred back to their local
centres for treatment.
Special
aural centres
The Council maintains 15 special aural clinics which are under the direction
of Mr. A. G. Wells, F.R.C.S., who is assisted by nine assistant aurists giving parttime
services.
One special ear, nose and throat session was transferred during the year from
St. Mary Newington, Penrose.street, S.E., to Elizabeth Bullock centre, Wandsworthroad,
S.W., to meet the needs of the district.
Table 20 gives a record for 1937 of the ear, nose and throat cases from the
centres, exclusive of those referred for deafness. Table 21 gives particulars of the deaf
cases.