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166
DENTAL TREATMENT.
The Dental Clinic which was inaugurated at the Dispensary in
October, 1935, held fortnightly sessions until June, 1936, when it was
found that there was sufficient dental work to justify a weekly session.
The arrangements with the British Dental Hospital have been highly
satisfactory and Mr. G. E. King Turner, L.D.S., H.D.D., attends every
Monday afternoon.
The Tuberculosis Officers recommend the patients for attendance at
the Clinic. All extractions, fillings and scalings are done free of charge.
The cost of dentures is, in the case of insured persons, paid in part by the
Society of which the patient is a member and the remainder by the person
concerned. If the patient is unable to afford anything towards dentures
or does not belong to any Society under the National Health Insurance
Act, the cost is met either in part or whole by some charitable organisation
or by the Borough Council.
The average attendance at each session is between 12 to 15 patients
and it has been found in many cases that patients who have steadfastly
refused necessary dental treatment for years, now attend willingly at the
Dispensary Dental Clinic.
During the year there have been 520 attendances at the Clinic, and
the dental work done was as follows:— Extractions, 253; Gas administrations,
26; Fillings, 54; Scalings, 25; Dentures supplied, 40.
EXTRA NOURISHMENT.
Under the Ministry of Health Regulations, extra nourishment can
be supplied at the expense of the Borough to patients attending the
Dispensary who are unable to afford necessary nourishing food.
This scheme is employed for patients who are waiting a Sanatorium
vacancy and also to tide them over the difficult period between their
discharge from Sanatorium and their return to work, but in the case of
patients who are in receipt of Public Assistance no call is made upon the
Borough funds, but recommendations are made to the Public Assistance
Committee by the Tuberculosis Officers for the supply of extra food in
necessitous cases and there is no doubt that patients greatly benefit by
this scheme.
84 patients have been granted extra nourishment at the expense of
the Borough.