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71
What is obviously required is a systematic inspection by
a dental surgeon of all the older children attending the
Welfare Centres, so that the earliest signs of dental decay
may be recognized and treated and serious dental trouble
may be prevented. Only by such a measure can we avoid
the waste and suffering involved by dental defects remaining
unnoticed and untreated in the pre-school child and requiring
prolonged and more expensive treatment later in life,
to say nothing of the bad effects upon the general health of
the child arising from such neglect. An immediate step
which can be taken, as recommended by the Sub-Committee,
is to increase the number of dental sessions so that one is
held every week, and to arrange that every child over two
shall have the opportunity of inspection by the Dental
Surgeon. Such inspection would have a considerable educational
value in teaching the young mothers the importance
and benefit of sound dental hygiene.
Nursery School-, Day Nurseries.
The problem of the mother of a family of small children
who has to act as housekeeper, cook and laundress as well
as nurse has already been referred to. The problem is
multiplied many times when she has to attempt to earn a
living because of her husband's illness or unemployment,
and when the family is living in the unsatisfactory housing
conditions known to prevail in Bethnal Green. If Bethnal
Green children living under such conditions are to receive
adequate care, the mother must be relieved of some of the
burdens which overwhelm her, at any rate for part of the
day.
The London County Council, as Education Authority,
has not yet established any nursery school in the Borough ;
although it is understood that one is proposed on (the extreme
western boundary.
There are two day nurseries in the Borough conducted
by private bodies. They are doing excellent work, one
being carried on on a fairly large scale with apparently
very adequate resources. There is, however, no doubt of
the need for further provision of this kind; especially in
the absence of any nursery school. The Council might therefore
consider it desirable to take special steps to secure a
suitable site, preferably in the western part of the Borough,
on which a day nursery could be established.