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The Senior Dental Surgeon submits the following report
from Mrs. W. R. Thorne, L.D.S.:—
"During the past year 174 maternity cases have been
treated. Over three hundred special appointments have been
sent out, but nearly half of these appointments have not been
kept. These failures consist of cases for inspection and conservative
treatment. Appliances are always popular, and
there have been no failures to attend for dentures. It is to
be deplored that mothers set so low a value on their natural
dentitions. Extractions under a general anæsthetic have been
successfully undertaken at all stages of gestation.
"There is a widespread belief, entirely without foundation,
that performing dental operations during pregnancy may
have injurious effects on the mother and foetus. The regular
treatment of these cases is gradually dispelling this fear and
making treatment more acceptable.
"The sliding scale of fees for prosthetic treatment is
very much appreciated, and enables the poorer mother to
have the necessary dentures. This need is barely met by
treatment during pregnancy. The patient is not referred to
the clinic until pregnant. The whole preparation of the
mouth, such as multiple extractions, must take place; then
the waiting period of healing and shrinkage of gums before
the dentures are fitted. Thus almost the whole period of
gestation may pass before the patient is supplied with the
means of proper mastication.
"To those whose circumstances preclude them from
affording dentures, there is a real need for municipal dental
work, that is, for the potential mothers. With such a scheme
an expectant mother would be able to have had dental treatment
and not be obliged to wait until she was 'in benefit.'
"It is inadvisable to fit dentures immediately after the
removal of teeth because the dentures very soon become loose,
and the patient is then faced with the additional expense of
renewal.
"There has been a steady increase in the number of
patients receiving conservative treatment. Such treatment
is of great educational value.