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The average attendance was slightly higher than in the previous year but still
remained at a rather disappointing level. While the reasons for the individual absences
usually appear adequate the over-all result is not satisfactory. The position was under
review at the end of the year with the object of producing a more searching analysis of the
causes of these absences, which it is hoped will lead to constructive suggestions for
improvement.
REPORT ON THE DENTAL SERVICE.
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE SECTION
(By Mr.J.H.Glen, L.D.S., Senior Dental Officer),
The continued shortage of staff again restricted the work of this section of the
service to four sessions a week, and in order that the mothers would be assured of dental
treatment during their pregnancy, the Local Dental Committee of the Executive Council were
approached for assistance. The need was at once understood and the Committee agreed to
advise all the Dental Practitioners in the area, to arrange for such cases as may be
referred to them from the Maternity and Child Welfare Dental Clinic, should be given
immediate treatment, such cases to be confined to those mothers requiring several fillings
and/or prophylactic treatment. Each mother was first examined at the clinic and was advised
to go to any Dental Practitioner of her choice when she must show her clinic card as a token
of authority for priority treatment.
This scheme has been of great benefit to the mothers, and a measure of its success is
reflected in the small number of fillings done at the clinic.
It is unfortunate that comparative figures between 1949-195O cannot be computed under
the new Annual Return Headings which were only made available in May of this year by the
Ministry of Health for the first time since the inception of the scheme. The use of these
new headings required the alteration of the daily records to such an extent that comparison
of the figures would be most misleading.