View report page

15
Municipal Dental Service.
Treatment is available, by appointment, for patients of all ages
(except those attending grant aided schools which are dealt with
through the School Dental Service) living in Walthamstow.
Mr. L. W. Elmer, L.D.S., Senior Dental Surgeon, reports as
follows:—
"This service has now been in operation nearly four years,
and, with the approach of the date upon which the National
Health Service Act comes into operation, it would appear that
the present is a suitable time to review its progress.
"The service commenced in April, 1944, with two evening
sessions weekly, for which three part-time dental surgeons were
employed. Later a further dental surgeon was engaged for two
evening and one afternoon sessions, and a dental clerk was
appointed in September, 1945.
"Until April, 1947, the prosthetic work was distributed
between three outside dental mechanics, but by then it was
found possible to open our own dental workshop, and a full-time
technician was engaged. In May, Mr. Clark, L.D.S., commenced
duty as full-time dental surgeon, with chairside and clerical
assistants. Owing to the continued increase in the work it was
found impossible to discontinue the employment of part-time
dental surgeons, of whom three were employed up to the end
of 1947.
"Later in the year it was found necessary to employ a second
dental technician.
"At the time of writing, with continued expansion of the
service, it has been decided to appoint a further full-time dental
'team,' i.e., dental surgeon, attendant and technician, and it is
hoped to instal a dental X-rav machine.