View report page

Of ante-natal cases referred by the Medical Officers for examination,
it is gratifying to note that many had been receiving regular
attention by their private dentists. But the melancholy fact remains
that in the period under review the number of extractions closely
approached the number of fillings for ante-natal cases, and for postnatal
mothers it actually exceeded them. These figures tell their own
story of "neglect until it is too late".
Public Dental Service. A successful effort was made during the
year to continue to provide treatment for the general public in Barking
dental clinics. A part-time officer was employed for two evening
sessions a week for this purpose, and one of the full-time officers
worked additional sessions in the Public Service for the greater part
of the year. Though the cost to the patient is exactly the same as
that of any patient of a private dentist under the Health Service,
there remained a continued and heavy demand for treatment in the
Clinics, a demand that could only partially be met by the man-power
available. Many mothers who have received ante-nata' and postnatal
dental care as a Priority Class, desire to carry on treatment in
the clinics; and it is to be regretted that since the introduction of the
National Health Service treatment as a Priority ceases one year after
the birth of their child instead of five years as was the case in Barking
before 1948. The Public Service also provides continuity of treatment
for adolescents who have left school, filling what might otherwise be
a gap in their dental care at a most important age.
MIDWIFERY
During 1954 we had five midwives practising in the district,
including two under the auspices of the Queen's Nurses 220 patients
were delivered in their own homes, only some 21% of all patients
confined. This small percentage continues to cause anxiety for the
future of the domiciliary midwifery service.
Towards the end of the year the report of the Medical Research
Council on the use of "Trilene" analgesia by domiciliary midwives
was published. Whilst the results suggest that "Trilene" is only
slightly more effective than the "gas and air" we have used hitherto,
the machines are very much more compact and lighter for the mid-
wives to carry, and you are most anxious that they shall be supply
to all our midwives next year.
In the meantime arrangements have been made for the transport
of the heavy gas and air machines by a private car hire firm, rather
than using the Ambulance Service as before.
Page 46