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One less satisfactory feature of the scheme is that 25 per cent.
of those referred failed to keep appointments for their dental
inspection to be carried out. Attempts at following up such cases
have in the main been singularly unsuccessful, but it is hoped
that continued propaganda by Medical Officers and Midwives
will in time assist in bringing home to prospective mothers the
importance of such measures and in reducing absenteeism to
more reasonable dimensions.
The Pre-School Child.
The total number of such children referred from Welfare
Centres, Day Nurseries and other sources was 443, against 390
last year.
This further rise is encouraging, but dental supervision of
those between three and five years of age is still verv incomplete,
and until this can be carried out on more systematic lines, far
loo large a proportion will remain untreated.
The importance of early inspection and care for these children
cannot be overstressed, as it is only when repairs are carried out
during the very early stages of the disease that undue loss of
deciduous teeth can be avoided. The introduction of nursery
classes at certain Primary Schools will, it is hoped, materially
assist in reducing present deficiencies until more far reaching
plans for Nursery Schools become an established fact.
The institution of wide spread measures for ante-natal care
of mothers, and increased attention to the diet and nutrition of
infants, is undoubtedly producing beneficial results, and for
several years past a steady improvement has been noted by dental
officers in the calcification of the enamel of those entering school.
Confirmation of the above has recently appeared in a report
of Lady Mellanby's findings, following her examination last year
of certain groups of "five-year-old" L.C.C. children. The
following quotation from the summary of her report is interesting:
"The general dental health of the children examined in
1943 was much better than that of the 1929 group, and in 1945
there was a further appreciable improvement."
The actual figures for children found to be "almost" caries
free are represented as follows:—
1929 4.7 per cent.
1943 22.4
1945 26.5