CO129-592-7 Reports on current situation- Stanley Dental Clinic 26-1-1946 - 26-1-1946 — Page 17

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that a makeshift fireplace, burning wood, is a poor substitute for electrical appliances, when the sterilization of instruments, the making of new or re- pairing dentures has to be done. This is more particularly troublesome as the operator's hands constantly require washing, which is difficult with the

very restricted water supply and lack of soap.

GENERAL COMMENTS ON DENTAL WORK CARRIED OUT DURING JAN/AUG.

18th 1945 AND THE DENTAL HEALTH OF THE CAMP.

Due to lack of essential materialą only work of temporary nature could be done. I wish it to be noted that during the whole period of interment, no dental supplies of any description were supplied by the Japanese Authorities. The only supplies received were either through Dr. J. §. Selwyn- Clarke during the early days or Mr. Eandel (Red Cross Delegate) and these latter

ceased over a year ago.

Many internees teeth have broken due to stones eto., in the rice, and it no doubt will be found that much restorative werk is necessary, (much of it urgent) to bring internees' mouths back to normal. The majority of internees who wear dentures, are in sad need of replacement (many of the dentures are broken and therefore cannot be used) due to shrunken tissues,

▲ cursory examination will show that internees are suffering

from a deficiency of Vitamin C. Teeth have loosened considerably in people

over the age of 45.

Children's teeth, generally, are good, but in some cases there

is obvious vitamin deficiency.

I would strongly recommend that all internees should be advised

to consult a dentist as soon as possible after release, as those with dentures

will probably need a new set er rebasing to meet tissue shrinkage, and those

with their own teeth will undoubtedly need general prophylaxis treatment for receeding and spongy gum

I must place on record the invaluable servioss of, Mesdames P. Hobbs, E.J. Grant, D.M, Shaw, D.N. Shields and the Misses I.R. Hasler,

C. E. Underwood, Grace Darby, and Messrs, T.M. Pile, C. Coull, H. W. Hammond,

R. A. Wickerson, and last but not least the Medical Practitioners, Drs. H.Talbot,

C.H. Canaval, J. Loan, J.T. Smalley, and government doctors who administered

general anesthetics to extraction cases both in Tweed Bay Hospital and the Clinic,