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47
As mentioned in the School Dental Service Report, special
efforts are being made to direct the attention of parents to the
increasing dental decay in the young and the need for active cooperation
on the "home front" to reverse this trend.
Because of increased susceptibility to decay caused by overindulgence
of sugary foods, eternal vigilance should be maintained
over children during the 3-5 year period, if early
damage is to be avoided to the foundation teeth.
Practical talks and instruction on the correct use of the
tooth brush, and the avoidance of "Pitfalls of Modern Diet"
recently introduced at "Toddler Sessions" will it is hoped,
assist in spreading the gospel of "self-help" in these matters,
which is essential to produce a lasting result.
Development of dental services in South Croydon continues to
be hampered by lack of clinic accommodation and though, since
the closure of the Duppas Hill surgery, essential treatment has
been provided at Lodge Road Centre, there has lately been a substantial
drop in attendances, particularly among the pre-school
section. It is now gratifying to report that concrete progress
has been possible in connection with the scheme for a joint Welfare
and Dental Centre to serve the Waddon Estate, and that
active construction should commence during the early Summer of
1962.
Expectant and Nursing Mothers
The total number of expectant and nursing mothers referred
from all sources was 288, compared with 367 in 1960. 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. The percentage of those desiring
the initial inspection who failed their appointments
tends to show variations, and has now increased to 32 per cent.
from 30 per cent. in 1960.
Expectant mothers examined for the first time numbered 202
against 281 last year. Of these, 72.3 per cent. were seen during
the first six months of pregnancy. 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.