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89
During 1946 a substantial proportion of expectant mothers
were inspected between the "third" and "fourth" months of
pregnancy, and approximately 80 per cent. received attention
before the expiration of the "sixth" month. Excluding those
who failed to keep appointments, very few of those referred
remained uninspected at the close of the year.
A welcome increase is again noted in the numbers of preschool
children referred for treatment and special reference is
made to conditions found among the above later in this report.
Expectant Mothers.
Expectant mothers examined during the year numbered 733
compared with 657 last year, and represented '88 per cent. of the
total number of new cases referred. Of the above, 80 per cent,
presented themselves during the first six months of pregnancy.
The remaining 20 per cent. seen during a later stage, included
some who failed to keep earlier appointments or had "declined"
dental treatment when this was previously advised in the AnteNatal
Clinic.
Nursing Mothers.
Owing to the greater number receiving their treatment antenatally,
the proportion of mothers dealt with during the nursing
period has declined considerably during recent years.
New cases referred were 100 compared with 56 last year.
Those seen during the first six months after their confinement
constituted 74 per cent. of the total number referred, compared
with 70 per cent. last year. The remainder with infants between
seven and twelve months, referred in the majority of cases from
Welfare Centres, received mostly emergency treatment.
In addition to mothers attending for the first time, a substantial
amount of treatment was completed for those referred
before their confinements in the previous year.
Treatment.
Including those continuing treatment from the previous year,
the total of mothers treated was 919, compared with 812 in 1945.
Once treatment has been begun clinics are well attended, and
most patients appear to take a keen interest in the service. As
in previous years a substantial amount of conservative work was
performed. In many mouths wholesale removal of teeth is, unfortunately,
the only remedy. Dentures inserted numbered 260
against 225 last year.