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A report by the Dental Officer, Mr. J. H.
Stevens, is submitted:-
"Up to the outbreak of war the number
of patients attending the dental clinic
continued to show a very satisfactory
increase over the previous year. During
September there was quite naturally a
decrease, but as things settled down and
people generally accustomed themselves to
these new conditions so the attendances
again became normal.
In my last report I stressed the
fact that conservative treatment rather
than extractions was taking its rightful
place and forming the major part of the work.
I am happy to say that not only has this
fact been maintained, but actually increased.
The number of patients who received
conservative treatment for the period
covered by this report has risen by 25 per
cent.
Regarding conservative treatment to
expectant mothers, one technical innovation
used for the first time this year may be
of interest. When the treatment consisted
of 1, 2 or even 3 teeth to be extracted,
together with a filling, the teeth-were
extracted under gas and whilst the patient
was still anaesthetised the cavity or
cavities for the fillings were cut and a
temporary dressing inserted, the permanent
filling being inserted at a subsequent
appointment. This method was found
particularly beneficial for patients whose
pregnancy was advanced and who were therefore
rather more nervous of the drilling than
usual."
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