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"There has, therefore, only been available the equivalent of
three and a half dental surgeons. It would, in consequence, be
premature to draw conclusions as to the potentialities of the present
staff.
"It should be noted that the figures given on Table V at the
end of the report do not include the increasing amount of work
done for the Secondary and Technical Schools. Also, an average
of three sessions weekly is now devoted to the treatment of expectant
and nursing mothers.
"Arrangements have now been made with the Consultant in
charge of the Rheumatism Clinic for all patients referred for dental
treatment to be treated by one dental surgeon, irrespective of
district in which they reside. Similar arrangements are in force
for those children referred for tonsillectomy and thus preclude any
chance of these cases being overlooked.
"Orthodontics.—Since the commencement of treatment of dental
irregulations by means of appliances, the demand for this work has
increased tremendously, and it has been found necessary to limit
the extent of this work to a certain degree.
"I should like here to pay a tribute to the excellent X-ray
films which, in a great number of cases, the Eastman Dental Clinic
has been able to supply. These have been very helpful in aiding
diagnosis in difficult cases.
"Miss Knight, the speech therapist, has co-operated successfully
with the department in several cases of gross malformation
of the mouth and jaws, and the exercises prescribed by her have
been of great assistance to us."
(h) Orthopaedic and Postural Defects.—Medical treatment
of these defects was given under the Orthopaedic Scheme in charge
of the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mr. Whitchurch Howell,
F.R.C.S., who held a monthly clinic at the Open Air School.
Mr. Whitchurch Howell also acts as Honorary Surgeon to the
Brookfield Orthopaedic Hospital, an institution of 30 beds recognised
as a Hospital School by both the Ministry of Health and the
Board of Education, and administered by the Essex County Council.
Details of the work done under the scheme are given in the
section dealing with Defective Children (Section 13).