View report page

174
A welcome factor during recent years has been the tendency
for mothers to seek dental aid during the early months of gestation.
Last year 64 per cent. were operated upon during the first
six months of pregnancy. This figure would undoubtedly have
been greater had there been time to deal with all applications for
treatment.
Nursing Mothers.
Nursing mothers examined at the Clinic numbered 208 as
compared with 161 in 1937. Many of these were referred during
the ante-natal period, but could not be sent for owing to the long
waiting list for treatment at the commencement of the year.
Attendances increased from 1,077 to 1,363. Fillings rose from 216
to 259 and extractions from 917 to 1,281. As in the case of the
expectant mothers the removal of teeth had to be performed on a
large scale; this, however, in many mouths was the only possible
form of treatment to offer.
Age of Baby when Mother was First Seen.
1—3 mths.
30.7
4—6 mths.
35.3
7-9 mths.
27.0
9—12 mths.
6.9
The above Table is of particular interest in connection with
the percentage of mothers referred with babies of seven to nine
months. This figure of 27 per cent. compared with 44.5 per cent.
last year shows a fall of over 17 per cent. It will be encouraging
if this lower figure can be maintained in future, provided a corresponding
rise is shown in treatment during the ante-natal period.
The treatment of those referred in the late nursing period is
confined to the elimination of pain and sepsis.
The Pre-School Child.
The number of young children examined was 366 against 335
last year. These children of 2½ to 4 years of age have often ceased
to attend the Infant Welfare Centres and are therefore not directly
influenced to any large extent by visits paid to the Centres by the
dentists. They are, as mentioned previously, seen indirectly when
brought with the baby, but for the most part they remain outside
the Dental Scheme until they commence attending the infant
departments.
The best method of gaining access to this class of child would
be by asking mothers, when a dental inspection has been arranged
at an Infant Welfare Centre, to bring the toddlers and any other
of their children under 5 years of age.