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52
dentures. The current generation of expectant mothers also shows
an increased awareness of the need for retaining their natural
teeth. Certain of those attending volunteer the information
that they have visited the same clinic during their school days,
and have obviously benefited from treatment during this period.
The Pre-School Child
The number of children referred from all sources during the
year was 359, compared with 353 in 1958. 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; without being too dogmatic it is undoubtedly wise for most
children to receive their first check-up at about the age of
three years, and in any case before they attain 3½ years. Contact
with these children has been considerably hampered in
recent years by the closure of Day Nurseries, and greater dependence
has therefore to be placed on other outside sources,
such as Welfare Centres and Nursery classes at Primary Schools.
In this connection the building of the new Infant Welfare Centre
immediately adjacent to the Lodge Road Clinic should assist in
redressing the balance in this district.
Unfortunately it is still apparent that a great many parents
do not fully realise 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 usual tables are given in the Appendix, page 117.