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VI. DENTAL TREATMENT.
A somewhat lengthy report on this subject was included
last year, and there is no point of special interest in this year's
work which requires comment. Rather more attention has been
given during the year to propaganda work in this subject. Each
Health Visitor is required when visiting houses to examine the
mouths of all children and women who come within the scope of
the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme, and, of course, to do
her utmost by individual persuasion to secure proper attention
to the teeth. In addition, lectures have been given at each
Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, and I have to thank Mr.
Grantley Smith and Mr. Shapland for their willing help in this
propaganda work. There has been an increase in the work done
at both Centres, in all categories, except those of Maternity and
Tuberculosis. The number of the latter is always small, and in
both cases expense is a large factor in deciding for or against
dental treatment.
At 110 Grange Road there has been an increase of 204 children
and 246 adults treated, a total of 450, entailing 1,580 attendances
more than in 1927. This increase justifies the two extra sessions
which were started on February 13th, 1928. There are now
thirteen sessions per week at this Clinic, excluding bank holidays—
the average attendance per session works out at 10.4.
At 98 Rotherhithe New Road there has been an increase of
112 children and 333 adults treated, a total of 445 and a consequent
increase in attendances of 948. The average attendance
per session at this Centre is 5.2, and the amount of work done in
1928 is nearly twice that of the previous year.