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(i) The Council to undertake that the work done shall be limited to
cleaning and polishing, applying or removing dressings or temporary
fillings, charting, recording, or work of like responsibility.
(ii) The registered dentist under whose personal supervision the work is
performed :
(a) Must always be present when operative work is being carried
on;
(b) Must not supervize more than two persons at one time if he himself
is performing operative work at the same time, or more
than six persons at one time if he himself is not so performing.
(c) Must prescribe the treatment to be given and inspect every case
after treatment and be responsible for the efficient carrying out
of the treatment.
Miss Mold, who received her training at the National Dental Hospital,
and who had previously worked at the Hackney Wick School Dental Treatment
Centre, was the person detailed by Mr. Villiers to work at the Shoreditch
Dental Hospital. A room at the top of the building was temporarily
equipped for her use, and she commenced duty on 7th September.
Miss Mold submits the following report upon her work from the time
of her appointment to the end of the year:—
"My duties have been many and varied, including the scaling of teeth
and propaganda work.
"During Health Week I was in charge of the Dental Hospital Stall,
and each morning gave lectures about the teeth and how to take care of them
to parties of school children.
"Eighty-two scaling operations have been performed, and in each case
the patient was told the correct way to clean the teeth, and given advice on
their general care. Many of the patients do not like the idea of having their
teeth scaled, even after an explanation has been given. They think that
scaling harms the teeth, and they would rather have them extracted. It is
difficult to rid their minds of this idea.
"I am sure that most useful propaganda work can be done by a dental
hygienist. In October, attempts were made to give lectures at the Welfare
Centres. I visited the different Welfare Centres each afternoon to talk to the
mothers who were waiting their turn to take their babies in to see the doctor.
This was not found very practicable, as the mothers were occupied most of
the time with the babies and toddlers, who made a great deal of noise. Even
with the aid of charts and posters this plan was not a success. The only
possible thing was to speak to each mother separately. When this was done
the results were better. The mothers are willing to have their children's
teeth attended to, but are very nervous of having their own inspected.
"Another plan for reaching the mothers was tried. The following letter
was sent by the Assistant Medical Officer of Health to mothers, inviting
them to come to the Welfare Centre in groups:—