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43
In the work of these Centres great assistance has been given
by the Welfare Working Party, who, under the leadership of
Mrs. Kimmitt, continue to make for children suitable approved
garments which are sold to mothers at cost price or given free to
those who are in necessitous circumstances, and by Mrs. Cocker,
Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Bowthorpe, in giving instructions to the
mothers in the cutting out and sewing of suitable clothing for
children.
Two new additions to the scheme of Maternity and Child
Welfare were made during the year, first by the provision of ultraviolet
ray, or what is commonly called artificial sunshine treatment,
at the King Edward Memorial Hospital for children suffering from
rickets and such other conditions which are sometimes benefited
by this form of treatment, and secondly by the provision of an
improved scheme of dental treatment for expectant and nursing
mothers. The appended report indicates the scope of the latter
which will make for the better health of many of the poorer
mothers attending the Centres who find it very difficult to obtain
dental treatment otherwise.
REPORT TO MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE.
Dental Treatment of Nursing and Expectant Mothers.
I have to report that I have gone into the question of the provision
of dentistry for expectant and nursing mothers attending the Welfare
Centres. The provision of a complete scheme has been facilitated by the
appointment of a whole-time school dentist, who will devote one session
a week, and more if required, to this special work.
The scheme will consist of the school dentist performing all fillings
and necessary extractions. He will prepare the mouths of those mothers
who require artificial dentures, take impressions of the mouths for
submission to the dental mechanic and then fit the dentures on their
receipt from the latter.
A mechanic doing work for the dental profession has been found
locally and his charges, a list of which have been supplied to me, appear
reasonable.
By the adoption of this scheme it will be possible not only to extend
the work of dentistry amongst the mothers, but to carry it out at a less
cost than formerly for each mother treated.
A small initial expenditure of £4 10s. 6d. is required for apparatus
in connection with the taking of impressions of the mouths by the school
dentist. The other costs are £50 which the Council have already decided
to contribute towards the school dentist's salary and the payments to
the dental mechanic. It is very difficult to estimate the cost of this last
item, but it should not, for the present, exceed what the artificial dentures
have cost the Council in each of the past three years even with an increase
in the number of mothers treated.