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48
A future development contemplated for extending this idea of
"group" instruction to "toddlers" and older children could do
much to re-establish some of the lost "contacts" with those in
the 3-5 year age groups.
As stated in the current Education Report concern continues
to be felt over the delay in obtaining a replacement for the now
defunct Duppas Hill Clinic, and it is comforting to learn that a
satisfactory location has now been decided upon for a combined
Welfare and Dental Centre to serve the whole Waddon area.
As previously outlined the aim of this joint venture is to
allow better integration of medical and dental Services and thus
improve existing contacts with the expanding pre-School population
in this district. It is hoped that adequate priority
can now be secured to allow an early completion of this worth
while project.
Expectant and Nursing Mothers
The total number of expectant and nursing mothers referred
from all sources was 367, compared with 406 in 1959. 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 have usually also visited pre-natal clinics, few cases
are normally referred from the Municipal Midwives' Service, and
then chiefly for relief of pain. When compared with the overall
total dealt with by the above clinics, the number opting for a
dental examination continues to be small, but as the large
majority can now be said to receive periodic attention from
their regular dental practitioner, responsibilities formerly
undertaken by Local Authorities in this matter have substantially
diminished. Even so, the percentage of those desiring
such an examination, who failed their appointments, still tends
to exhibit wide variations and is now shown as 30 per cent.
against 24 per cent. in 1959.
Expectant mothers examined for the first time numbered 281
against 248 last year. Of these, 75.8 per cent. were seen
during the first six months of pregnancy, a figure exactly
equalling that obtained during the previous year.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.