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11
DENTAL TREATMENT.
The number of new mothers inspected and treated during the
year totalled 522, a few less than in the previous year. The number
of children inspected and treated amounted to 196. This figure
is greater by 47 than in the previous year.
Attendances made by mothers for treatment totalled 2,211
and by children 365. Fillings inserted in permanent teeth amounted
to 281, and 16 temporary teeth were filled. Extractions of
permanent teeth totalled 2,101 and temporary extractions amounted
to 480. This figure for extractions is larger in each case than the
figures for 1944. The figure for fillings is smaller in each case
than that of the preceding year.
Treatment for gum infections in mothers was given in 166
separate cases, and 78 mothers had their teeth scaled. The number
of mothers who were supplied with full or partial dentures totalled
131, a slight increase over those fitted in 1944. Other operations
were dressings for painful teeth and for ulcers of the tongue and
inner cheek and applications for the various gum conditions.
These items of treatment required 1,209 separate treatments.
WAR-TIME NURSERIES.
Nine nurseries continued in operation throughout the year.
Seven of these are classed as whole-time nurseries, being open
from 6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday, while the
remaining two are classed as part-time, being open from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays. There was little reduction in the
demand for admission after the War had ended. In fact, when the
future policy with regard to Nurseries came under consideration
in January, 1946, it was decided that all seven whole-time nurseries
should be continued as part of the Council's Maternity and Child
Welfare Service, while the two part-time nurseries should be taken
over by the Education Department and continued as nursery
classes. One of them, however, St. John's, was later restored as
a day nursery with an experimental period of six months, after
which the position would be reconsidered.