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Mr. L. W. Elmer, L.D.S., Senior Dental Surgeon, submits the
following report from Mrs. W. R. Thorne L.D.S., with regard to
dental treatment under the Maternity and Child Welfare scheme:—
"For the year 1938 the number of patients referred for treatment
has been good, and the attendance fairly constant. 257 cases
were referred from various centres—210 attended. Of these 144 were
from Thorpe Coombe, 58 from the welfare centres and district
midwives: 13 were nursing mothers. 47 failed to attend for
examination, 43 kept all their appointments and received complete
treatment; the remainder did not attend well for re-appointments.
This partial treatment consisted mainly of extractions. 17 patients
had prosthetic work done. 27 dentures were fitted.
"The treatment given has shown an increasing amount of
conservative work and the attendances for this are improving.
Since the patients rarely come for treatment before the fourth
month onwards, the fitting of dentures usually takes place in the
post-natal period.
"Few of the patients are free from peridontal disease. Good
results follow treatment for the time the patient is under the supervision
of the clinic.
"The number of sessions, two per week, is the same as in the
previous year.
"This amount of time seems to be sufficient for those who
accept and complete their treatment. The two sessions devoted
to this work have, been well spent."
(c) Tonsils and Adenoids.—Six cases were operated on
under the arrangement made by the Education Committee with the
Connaught Hospital.
(d) Ophthalmic Defects and Minor Ailments.—Children
are given treatment either at the School Clinics or by special
appointment.