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46
of treatment until after the confinement; in others, names were
actually received during the post-natal period.
42 nursing mothers were examined during the current year,
compared with 47 in 1954.
Treatment.
Including those continuing treatment from the previous year,
595 mothers were dealt with, compared with 407 in 1954. Whenever
conditions are favourable full conservation of teeth is advised;
however, in this respect much depends on the conditions of
patients and their willingness to accept the above treatment. In
the case of those approaching confinements, removal of possible
oral sepsis must remain the first consideration, and completion
of any other necessary work is urged at an early date.
Whatever the extent of the measures decided upon, it will be
obvious that early attention should be aimed at when practicable,
and for this reason it is hoped that the revised method of referring
patients will continue to assist in bringing this about.
The Pre-School child.
The number of children referred from all sources during the
year was 649, compared with 605 in 1954. In the face of the further
reduction in the number of Day Nurseries this may be considered
a solid achievement.
As stated previously, the major difficulty in this branch of
dentistry is to gain access to these children during the critical
three to four year period when systematic inspection should be
commenced. In practice it is found that even "enlightened"
parents are too prone to be guided by their visual observations
with the inevitable result that many cavities are found to be
beyond repair when eventually brought to notice. The condition
of many mouths at the first school inspection is a constant
reminder of the fact that until a far greater degree of supervision
can be exercised during the pre-school period, there can
be no satisfactory solution to the problem of safeguarding the
foundation teeth.
For those not visiting Welfare Centres the introduction of
nursery classes at certain primary schools can make a useful contribution
until the programme for Nursery Schools can be put into
effect.
In addition to the above, activities of the kind envisaged
at the new Centre should greatly assist in encouraging parents
to seek attention at an early date.