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48
permit of treatment until after the confinement; in others, names
were actually received during the post-natal period.
47 nursing mothers were referred during the current year,
compared with 53 in 1953.
Treatment.
Including those continuing treatment from the previous year,
407 mothers were dealt with, compared with 371 in 1953. Whenever
conditions are favourable full conservation of teeth is advised;
however, in this respect much depends on the conditions of
patients and their willingness to accept the above treatment. In
the case of those approaching confinements, removal of possible
oral sepsis must remain the first consideration, and completion
of any other necessary work is urged at an early date.
Whatever the extent of the measures decided upon, it will be
obvious that early attention will secure the best results, and
for this reason it is hoped that the revised method of referring
patients will permit a more comprehensive treatment.
The Pre-School Child.
The number of children referred from all sources during the
year was 605, compared with 557 in 1953. In the face of the reduction
in the number of Day Nurseries this may be considered a
minor achievement.
As stated previously, the major difficulty in this branch of
dentistry is to gain access to these children during the critical
three to four year period when systematic inspection should be
commenced. In practice it is found that even "enlightened"
parents are too prone to be guided by their visual observations,
with the inevitable result that many cavities are found to be
beyond repair when eventually brought to notice. The condition
of many mouths at the first school inspection is a constant
reminder of the fact that until a far greater degree of supervision
can be exercised during the pre-school period, there can
be no satisfactory solution to the problem of safeguarding the
foundation teeth.
For those not visiting Welfare Centres the introduction of
nursery classes at certain primary schools can make a useful
contribution until the programme for Nursery Schools can be put
into effect.
In addition to the above, activities of the kind envisaged
at the new Centre should greatly assist in encouraging parents
to seek attention at an early date.