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177
Expectant Mothers.
The days appear to be passing when pregnant women fear
dental treatment, as each year sees an increase in the number
treated, in 1936, 209 of these women were examined and 171
treated, as compared with 145 examined and 135 treated in the
previous year.
Although the number of extractions increased to 789 as against
486 in 1935, it is worthy of note that 102 fillings were inserted,
which is 62 more than during the previous twelve months. The
improvement in the amount of conservative treatment is probably
due to the fact that many of the younger mothers have been treated
in their school days by the dental officer and have been taught the
principles of dental hygiene and the value of conservative measures
in preserving their teeth.
Other conservative treatments included 28 scalings and 70
dressings in teeth before inserting the permanent fillings. The
number of attendances increased to 585 as against 375 in 1935.
It is our aim to treat women as early in pregnancy as possible,
and in 1936 30.7 per cent. were treated up to the third month,
46.5 per cent, between the fourth and sixth months and 22.8 per
cent. from the seventh month onwards. These percentages show
that the greater number of pregnant women were treated during
the first six months of gestation.
Nursing Mothers.
As more expectant mothers were treated the number of nursing
mothers treated decreased to 114, which is 68 less than in 1935.
The attendances were reduced to 732 as compared with 939 in 1935.
The scheme has for its aim the treatment of the expectant
mother for the good of the unborn child, and the time spent on the
nursing mother necessarily reduces that which should be devoted
to the treatment of the pregnant woman. Dental treatment, of
course, is essential for the nursing mother in certain cases, but the
main purpose of the scheme is to concentrate upon the expectant
mother.
Here again, as in the case of the expectant women, there has
been a welcome increase of conservative treatment. The number
of fillings completed was 180 as compared with 135 in 1935, and
other conservative measures included 40 dressings, 19 scalings and
19 gum treatments. Out of 112 referred for treatment 98 were
completed.