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Distribution of Welfare Foods
There were no changes in the arrangements for the distribution
of these foods during the year:-
National Dried Orange Juice Cod Liver Oil Vit. A. & D. Tabs.
Milk
(tins)
(bottles)
(bottles)
(packets)
1963
1962
1961
31158
31489
30801
48453
42976
67012
5798
5429
10038
5420
5593
9428
Priority Dental Service for Mothers and Young Children
This service shows little change, and the dental officers
devoted 8% of their time to the inspection and treatment of expectant
and nursing mothers, and children under five.
The number of mothers who were examined and treated remained
constant, also the conservative pattern of the treatment. There was
a slight increase in the number of fillings and extractions performed
and dentures provided. Each mother treated had an average of 3.3
fillings and 1.3 extractions, i.e. the same ratio af 2.5 fillings to 1
extraction, as recorded last year, and made an average of five
attendances.
637 children were examined, including 62 at day nurseries, an
increase of 74. 510 (80%) were found to be defective and 479 of
these (90%) received treatment. For each child treated, an average
of 2.5 fillings and 0.6 extractions were carried out, and 3.5 attendances
made. The ratio of conservations (fillings and silver nitrate
treatments) was 6.6 to 1 extraction.
It is interesting to compare the above with the statistics for the
year 1953 and note the changes that have taken place. 15% of the
dental officers' time was then required and 100% more mothers and
over 50% more children were treated. At that time it was very
difficult to obtain appointments with a practitioner in the National
Health Service and there were long waiting lists. The ratio of
fillings to extractions was 1.3: 1 for mothers and 2.1: 1 for the
children. Pressure of work and, to a certain extent, the lack of
appreciation for conservative treatment were responsible for this state
of affairs.
Nowadays it is not surprising that many mothers will choose
to have continuous treatment which is readily available in the General
Dental Service, and to receive the privilege later extended to them,
when expectant and nursing. Also it is easy to take the young
children with them when attending for treatment, and one gets the
impression that the better types may be lost to our service.
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