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38
CARE OF THE UNMARRIED MOTHER.
The Croydon Association for Moral Welfare continued to
act for the Corporation and received payment on a capitation basis
for cases dealt with by their Social Worker. The Corporation
also paid hostel fees in respect of approved cases for whom such
accommodation was required. During the year under review
123 cases were dealt with by the Social Worker.
30 cases were admitted to hostels.
10 cases were temporarily accommodated at Glazier
House (the Croydon Home of the Moral Welfare
Association).
DENTAL TREATMENT.
Maternity and Child Welfare Patients.
Expectant and nursing mothers and children below school
age requiring dental attention are referred by Medical Officers
attending Ante- and Post-Natal Clinics, and from Infant Welfare
Centres. A substantial number of applications for treatment of
"toddlers" are also received from those in charge of Day
Nurseries and similar institutions.
In the case of "home" confinements reference is made
through the Municipal Midwives' Service or by the practitioner in
charge of the patient.
During recent years the adult side of the local dental service
has been considerably expanded and now one dental officer's time
is wholly devoted to Maternity and Child Welfare Work. This
increased provision has done much to reduce the waiting period
before treatment can be commenced.
Since the inauguration of the National Health Service all
those attending ante-natal clinics are automatically referred for a
routine dental examination, unless they are in the habit of visiting
an outside practitioner. Though, as yet, not all those referred
avail themselves of this opportunity, it is felt that this practice
is a good one, and that results should improve as time proceeds.
There has been a noticeable decline in the number of
expectant and nursing mothers receiving treatment at the
Authority's Dental Clinic during the past year. This has
occurred partly as the result of the reduction in the activities of
Ante-Natal Clinics themselves and partly owing to the fact that
since the initiation of the National Health Service alternative