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45
themselves and partly owing to the fact that since the inauguration
of the National Health Service alternative facilities are
available through the General Dental Service. Whilst it is yet
too early to assess what permanent effect these changes will have,
it seems likely that provided an adequate degree of priority can
be given to such patients a certain proportion of these "outside"
contracts will become a regular feature of the Scheme.
In the case of the pre-school child conditions have steadily
improved during the post-war period, and the demand for treatment
shows a welcome increase. This rise is in no small degree
due to the continued efforts of those officiating at Welfare Centres
and Day Nurseries in bringing defects to the notice of parents
and arranging for subsequent treatment.
As previously stated the majority of private dentists are
already fully occupied in catering for the requirements of the adult
population and therefore find it difficult to offer facilities, often at
short notice, for cases of this type. Under the circumstances
parents are often advised to seek attention at the local clinic.
Expectant Mothers.
Expectant mothers examined during the year numbered 424
compared with 735 in 1949. Of these 84.7 per cent. were seen
during the first six months of their pregnancy. As the benefit
derived from such treatment is greatly enhanced by early removal
of sepsis, the results obtained above may be considered of firstrate
importance.
Nursing Mothers.
The number of nursing mothers referred during the year
declined still more and only 17 new cases were examined, compared
with 29 last year. The above returns are in striking contrast
with those of pre-war years when treatment carried out for this
class of patient assumed considerable proportions. The reason for
this progressive reduction is largely due to greater emphasis on
ante-natal treatment: a more recent factor, however, has been the
provision of free attention outside the Local Authority's scheme.
Most nursing mothers attending the dental clinics are now
dealt with either during, or closely following the nursing period;
in the latter category were included certain patients for whom, on
medical grounds, work was delayed until after the confinement,