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Dental Care
Provision of dental care is made in combination with the service provided for
school children, but the use of the word "care" in the Act appears to suggest a
wider provision than inspection and treatment referred to in the legislation dealing
with school children.
Combined use is made of staff and premises of all the dental clinics in the
Borough, and during the year 171 attendances for treatment were made by mothers
and 966 by children.
While advice on care of the teeth is given on a personal basis, not only by
dentists but also by doctors and nurses, use is made of all the armamentary of
health education. It is pleasing to note that this advice appears to be having some
effect as a decrease was shown in the number of extractions for children under
five years of age.
An effort is being made to ensure that an increasing number of children under
school age enter school with a reasonably sound set of teeth.
Care of the Unsupported Mother and her Child
Although the majority of unsupported mothers are unmarried, occasionally a
married woman may for one reason or another find herself without support. The
services of a fully qualified medical social worker are shared by this Borough with
two neighbouring boroughs. This officer unfortunately sustained a serious road
accident and has been off duty for some months. However, an acting social worker
was detailed to cover the work during this period.
As there is no local authority mother and baby home in the Borough, use is
made of those of other authorities and of voluntary society homes, one of which
caters especially for the very young expectant mother. With these resources a
satisfactory service has been possible.
Of the 84 cases referred through various channels such as medical social
workers, general practitioners, health visitors, voluntary social workers, the
National Council for the Unmarried Mother and Her Child, etc., 54 were admitted
to mother and baby homes and the balance was mostly comprised of incomplete
cases at the year's end.
From her first contact with the medical social worker the patient is supported
and cared for throughout this difficult period. Much time is also spent in reassuring
and advising shocked parents, and this often results in a re-assessment of the
situation with the result that the problem is handled within the family which is, of
course, often the most happy and satisfactory solution.
Where it is the wish of the unsupported mother to have the baby adopted
application is made on her behalf only to registered adoption agencies.
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