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80
Although most teachers are sympathetic and do their best not to
put any undue stress on these children from the educational point of
view, the competition and natural strains inherent in schooling at all
appear to have a particularly bad effect on the majority of stammerers.
Isolated treatments once a week can do nothing to alter these conditions,
but with speech therapy a part of daily school life much could
be done. It is interesting and important to note that shortly after
entering such a class, where the child is no longer at a gross disadvantage
through his speech, there is always a marked improvement
in his ability to concentrate and in the school work.
To open such a class in Ilford would certainly not be a simple
matter. There would be administrative and transport difficulties, but
these could be overcome and we feel sure that results would more
than compensate.
We arc still hoping for the long term loan or use of a tape
recorder. This is not merely an amusing gadget, but is quite indispensable
in the treatment of certain types of cases."
The defects treated were as follows:—
Stammering 62
Dyslalia 132
Rhinophonias 4
Cleft Palate 7
Dysphonia 1
Dysarthria 10
Others 10
81 children of school age were discharged from the Clinics during the
year. In 49 cases the speech was normal. Of the remaining 32 cases, 2
ceased to attend for treatment, 15 left school or left the district. 5 refused
treatment, 10 were referred elsewhere and in one case the child died before
treatment commenced.
School Dental Servcie.—Mr. E. V. Haigh, Senior Dental Officer,
reports as follows: —
"The Dental facilities for school children were almost the same
in 1955 as in the previous year. There were 12 part-time dental
officers and myself full time. The part-time dental officers and myself
made the equivalent of 4 full-time surgeons: the number of sessions
carried out by these part-time officers varied from one to five sessions
per week.
In addition Maternity and Child Welfare dental work was carried
out by myself at Mayesbrook Dental Clniic. This occupied 3/llths
of my time.
Full dental treatment was given to school children, expectant and
nursing mothers and children under 5 years of age. This treatment
consisted of conservative dentistry, extractions, which were mainly
carried out under general anaesthesia, orthodontics, and the supplying
of dentures when necessary.
With the continued increase in the number of dental surgeons it
was possible to see 9,278 children at school dental inspections, a slight
rise on the 1954 figure.
Emergency treatment on two mornings a week which was started
in 1954 was continued and has proved very satisfactory. Any school
child can attend from any school in Ilford without an appointment
and receive emergency treatment to relieve toothache or to make an
appointment for fillings. The attendances on these mornings have
steadily grown and are now between 20 and 30 per session.
X-ray facilities are available at Mayesbrook Clinic for patients
attending either Valentines or Mayesbrook Dental Clinic. Manford
Way Clinic has a separate X-ray Unit for patients attending there."