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The Pre-School Child.
The total number of children referred from Welfare Centres,
Hay Nurseries and other sources was 558 against 529 last year.
In spite of this increase dental supervision of those between
three and five years of age is still very incomplete, and until this
can be carried out on more systematic lines, far too large a proportion
will remain untreated. Increased contact between dental
officers and parents would undoubtedly be helpful, but at present
there is little available time for personal visits to such Centres.
The importance of 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 should materially assist in
reducing present deficiencies until more Nursery Schools can be
established.
Routine ante-natal care and increased attention to the diet
and nutrition of infants is undoubtedly producing 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 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 1948 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 percent.
1943 22.4 „
1945 26.5 „
Such statistics indicate a rise of 17.7 per cent. in those showing
"little decay" during the initial 14-year period, plus an
additional improvement of 4.1 per cent. in the subsequent 18
months.
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