Dentist at School

Report by Margaret Ann Harris, at Lacey Green School 1933-1939

I wonder how many remember the school dentist. Mrs Guerney's office/stock room was used. I still recall the dusty surroundings and the smell of old books. The Harris twins (me & my brother John) had toothbrushes, but still had more treatment than others. Some who didn't have a toothbrush needed no fillings. Our mother was in Barts having a major operation, but oh how I needed a cuddle. Thank goodness dentistry has advanced since then.

Report by Dennis Claydon, at Lacey Green School 1947-1953

The yearly (?) visits of the school dentist. To a small boy of six or seven the dentist appeared as an elderly, silver haired lady, although she was probably not so elderly! The equipment was set up in Miss Janes (or spare) classroom. There was a very big dentists chair. One had to climb on a box to clamber into this large piece of furniture. The drill was operated by means of a foot treadle, which was very terrifying, there being no pain killing injections. Even today (2000) the thought of it makes me shudder!

Report by Jennifer Baker, at Lacey Green School 1945-1955

My worst memory of school was the visit to the school of the dentist, a very severe lady who used a treadle operated drill, oh how very painful & she seemed to treadle so very slowly! How I hated those visits.