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49
cent. previously recorded. Those attending at later stages of
their confinements included some with pain or discomfort, which
might have been avoided had treatment been sought at an early
date.
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.
32 nursing mothers were examined during the current year,
compared with 39 in 1956.
Treatment
Including those continuing treatment from the previous year.
476 mothers were dealt with, and exactly equalled those seen in
1956. 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 481 compared with 541 in 1956. As previously, this
figure included a proportion of "Toddlers" due for re inspection
and treatment.
Because of the freer diet available in post-war years more
decay is 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,