View report page

35
There has been little change in the amount of work carried
out for nursing mothers. In some cases this resulted from late
reference from the Ante-Natal Department, which did not permit
of treatment until after the confinement; in others, names were
actually received during the post-natal period.
39 nursing mothers were examined during the current year,
compared with 42 in 1955.
Treatment
Including those continuing treatment from the previous year,
475 mothers were dealt with, compared with 595 in 1955. A full
range of treatment, including provision of dentures, is available,
and whilst the need for conservation is stressed, not all patients
are, unfortunately, willing to submit to this type of work. For
those approaching confinements, removal of possible oral sepsis
must remain the first consideration, and completion of treatment
is urged at an early date.
. The Pre-School Child
The number of children referred from all sources during the
year was 541, compared with 649 in 1955. As previously, this
figure included a proportion of "Toddlers" due for re-inspec-
tion and treatment.
Because of the freer diet available in post-war years more
decay in now being reported in the "under fives" , and earlier
supervision is therefore more desirable than was previously the
case. Unfortunately, contact with these children has been considerably
hampered by the closure of the Day Nurseries and greater
dependence has therefore to be placed on other outside sources,
such as Welfare Centres and Nursery classes at Primary Schools.
A great many parents do not fully appreciate the importance
of the foundation teeth in bringing about normal development of
the jaws, and are therefore apt to postpone visiting the dentist
until toothache intervenes.
As soon as staffing permits it is hoped that more active
measures will be possible to expand this side of the Service,
supported by work of a preventive nature at Dental Centres.
The introduction of additional Nursery Classes at Primary
Schools would materially assist the situation, as a greater proPortion
of these children would then be covered by the routine
dental inspection.
Details of treatment etc. carried out are shown in the Appendix.
Page 108.