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Eastman Dental Hospital where Sir William Kelsey-Fry took
it over for surgical treatment. Again the Eastman Dental
Hospital has treated those patients referred for jacket crowns
and has been most co-operative.
General. On account of an increase of staff, by the employment
of a part-time dental surgeon in the Borough, greater
time has been given to school inspections, thus the clinic
was faced with a mass of dental neglect and had, perforce,
to adopt short cuts to eradicate septic and painful conditions
in order to cope with the amount of disease which presented
itself, thus entailing many more cases for a general anaesthetic
than in the past.
The usual help in running the clinic has been maintained
throughout the year and I thank you for your interest and
help whenever sought.
I am indebted to Mrs. Elizabeth Francis, B.D.S., L.D.S.,
for the following report:—
It has not yet been possible at this clinic to return to
the ideal sequence of school inspections and subsequent
treatment, indeed, I do not believe this to be feasible until
there are more dental officers in this area. However, we
have achieved some advances this year. Two sessions each
week are now devoted to dealing with children who need
emergency treatment. The schools are co-operating well in
this scheme so that the other sessions are undisturbed by
casual patients. Naturally accident cases resulting in
fractures and so on, are seen immediately.
The dental hygienist who visits the clinic one day a week
is considerably improving the state of dental health of the
children. This is especially apparent in those who have only
come to the clinic because of toothache. When their
neglected mouths have been cleaned and they have been
instructed in oral hygiene, the majority show great keenness
in maintaining a clean and healthy mouth.
Speech Therapy.
I am indebted to Miss Joan Pollitt, Chief Speech
Therapist to the Kent Education Committee for the following
report:—
The Bexleyheath Speech Therapy Clinic is a part of
the Speech Therapy Department within the County as a
whole. Statements in regard to the Bexleyheath Clinic which
have been made in the comprehensive report have not been
duplicated here.
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