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47
In the face of these and other limitations such as the increase
of mothers in employment, the most promising scope for
activity would appear to lie in increased publicity at Welfare
Centres, particularly during "Toddler Sessions", and by more direct
contacts with the younger parent through "Mothers' Clubs"
and adult social gatherings. Here again much must depend on the
amount of time which can be devoted to the furthering of Dental
Health Education, and little changes can be expected from shortterm
results.
During the past year further "invited" talks and film shows
have been continued at regular meetings of Methodist "Young
lives" and similar Church organisations; as on previous occasions
ensuing discussion showed an intelligent interest in the
subject.
As has been noted in the case of the school children, continued
lack of on the spot facilities has also caused a falling
off in attendance by the "under fives" from the South Croydon
area. Whilst this apathy is to some extent understandable it is
hoped that it will prove to be a passing phase, and that the
opening of the combined Welfare and Dental Centre in Coldharbour
Road will serve to re-kindle interest in the use of the Local
Authority Service for the district.
From the preventive angle remarks in the current School
Dental Report, concerning the addition of fluoride to the general
water supply, are of particular importance to the preschool
child, as it is in the teeth of the very young that protection
has been found to be most effective. An important feature
of this mode of application is that it also automatically secures
the requisite concentration (of the salt) in the blood
stream of the expectant mother during the formative period of
the infant's first dentition.
Expectant and Nursing Mothers
The total number of expectant and nursing mothers referred
from all sources was 269, compared with 288 in 1961. 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 33 per cent. from
32 per cent. in 1961.