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51
Little of new significance has occurred with regard to
existing arrangements for the oral supervision of mothers
attending Ante-natal Clinics, and problems relating to the above
have been adequately dealt with in previous Reports. During the
year the joint "follow-up" measures, previously described, have
been continued and it is interesting to note that absenteeism
among those referred for routine examination has again shown a
small decrease.
Expectant and Nursing Mothers
The total number of expectant and nursing mothers referred
from all sources was 406, compared with 410 in 1958. As was the
case in the previous year the greater proportion of these were
sent from the Ante-Natal Clinic. Owing to the fact that these
patients are usually also seen at pre-natal clinics, few cases
are normally referred from the Municipal Midwives' Service, and
then chiefly for relief of pain. The number of forms received
from Welfare Centres continues to be disappointing. Except
during abnormal periods, waiting time before receiving initial
appointments is reasonably short. The percentage of mothers
failing to attend for their dental examination was 24 per cent.
against 27 per cent. in 1958.
Expectant mothers examined for the first time numbered 248
against 278 last year. Of these, 75.8 per cent. were seen during
the first six months of pregnancy, compared with 80.6 per cent.
previously recorded. Those attending at later stages of their
confinements included some with pain or discomfort; others, who
had but recently arrived in the Borough had been unable to
arrange for prior treatment.
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; otherwise names were
received during the post natal period.
25 nursing mothers were examined during the current year,
exactly equaling the total for 1958.
Treatment
Including those continuing treatment from the previous year,
369 mothers were dealt with, against 393 in 1958. A welcome
sign during recent years has been a decrease in the need for
wholesale removal of teeth and the large scale provision of