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Distribution of Welfare Foods

Priority Dental Service for Mothers and Young Children
Nine per cent of the dental officers' time was devoted to the
priority classes.
Although the number of expectant and nursing mothers inspected
and treated remained constant, there was an increase of 143 fillings
and a decrease of 157 extractions, and in consequence, eleven fewer
dentures were fitted. The ratio of 2.5 fillings to one extraction
was achieved.
563 children under five were inspected, including 59 examinations
at day nurseries. The number of fillings inserted was 1,206, the
highest since 1955, but, unfortunately, the number of extractions
remained unaltered. For every child treated there were 3.6
conservations (fillings and silver nitrate treatments) and 0.6 extractions.
This means that the ratio of conservations to extractions was 6:1.
In spite of this high proportion, it was found necessary to supply four
partial dentures.
It is in the early years that a child can derive most benefit
from Dental Health Education. The dental auxiliary who was appointed
in September has been trained in this field of work, and has made a
start in giving group talks at welfare centres, so far at ante-natal
clinics, and to the mothers of toddlers. Of course, advice has
always been given to individual mothers, when they and their children
attend the dental clinics.
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