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Dental Routine Undisturbed.
Thanks to the willing and intelligent co-operation of the entire Dental Staff it has been a
simple matter to handle the large number of cases encountered throughout 1935 without loss of
time or derangement of the regular routine and working schedule of the ordinary dental procedure.
Neither the normal programme nor the regular time table of the Dental Clinic has been
upset or interrupted in any way by the additional and specialised treatment carried out at the
weekly orthodontic sessions.
Reduction in Fees.
The question of fees is always a matter of paramount importance in clinic administration.
I think it is therefore opportune to point out how gratified I was to find that during 1935 it became
possible to introduce a reduction in the fees charged by the Orthodontic Section.
The flat rate for orthodontic cases has been lowered to 25/- per patient, viz:— 15/- per
consultation, with an additional charge of 10/- in those instances where use of an appliance has
been deemed necessary.
Moreover this rate has been made adjustable in order to suit the circumstances of the
patient's parents. Indeed where it has been obvious that there was a condition of extreme poverty,
both consultation and treatment have been provided free of all charge whatsoever.
Parents' Co-operation.
Mention of parents prompts me to say that the progressive increase in " orthodontic
mindedness " amongst the parents (which I was pleased to remark in previous years) has developed
in a most satisfactory manner during 1935.
Without the parents' recognition of and confidence in the Orthodontic Section it would be
difficult to make much headway in the execution of that preventitive treatment which is always the
aim and ambition of orthodontia.
Given the support and interest of the parents it becomes a matter of comparative certainty
that all cases of malocclusion discovered amongst the children attending the Borough Schools will
be brought before the Qinic in ample time to enable full and final treatment to be completed well
before the patients arrive at the school leaving age.
Aim of Treatment.
In carrying out the treatment on the cases passing through the Qinic during last year I
have continued to employ removable appliances only. The use of fixed apparatus entails higher
costs and necessitates a longer period of treatment, neither of which is desirable at clinic centres.
Careful attention has also been paid to preventitive treatment in the early stages of malocclusion,
thereby lessening the possibilities of serious developments at a later date. In those
instances where extraction has been adjudged expedient as a preventitive measure the importance
of the subsequent use of splint plates has not been lost sight of. Such after treatment is almost
invariably successful in checking the travelling of other teeth which condition, if allowed to occur,
would in all probability result in overcrowding at a subsequent stage.
In Conclusion.
I consider that the continued success of the weekly orthodontic session during 1935 is a
success not only from the point of view of the beneficial results achieved in the treatment of a
large number of cases, but is also practical proof of the ability of the Dental Clinic to incorporate
in its annual programme the treatment of malocclusion without sacrificing efficiency in its other
branches.
The arrival at such a conclusion after my experience at your Clinic in 1935 affords me no
small measure of satisfaction, a satisfaction which must perforce be shared by all concerned in the
organisation and execution of the year's work at this pioneer Clinic.
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