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education, little progress of lasting value can be anticipated.
It is for this reason that we have concentrated
on health education, and that no avenue will be left unexplored.
In this connection, it might be mentioned that we
have collaborated with Messrs. Marmite Ltd., in the making
of a sound film, during which Cranbourne Clinic was used.
I would very much like to have the pleasure of arranging a
sound film in which the general health activities in Area
No. 2 were depicted. The Committee will remember that this
has already been discussed and strongly supported by the
Committee. As several years have now elapsed since the
project was first mentioned, may I put forward the suggestion
that it might, with profit, be revived.
13. DENTAL CARE OF EXPECTANT AND NURSING MOTHER AND
CHILDREN UNDER SCHOOL AGE.
At the end of 1953 there were four whole-time and five
part-time dental officers employed in the Area, representing
a total of 6½ whole-time staff. During the year 232 sessions
were allocated to this service. A total of 177 expectant
and nursing mothers and 584 children under the age of five
were treated.
I need not remind the Committee that great difficulty
has been experienced in the past in obtaining the services of
sufficient Dental Officers to deal with the priority and
school dental services in the Area. The situation
did improve during 1953, when our available establishment
was higher than has been the case for many years. This
allowed us to deal with arrears of work urgently required.
The position is so variable that I would not hazard a
guess as to how long this happy state of affairs is likely
to continue.
Each Dental Officer is provided with the services of
a Dental Attendant, who combines chair-side assistance,
the keeping of necessary records and the making of appointments.
The Dental Service is under the direction of an
Area Dental Officer, Mr. G.S. Williams. Mr. Williams
has a difficult task to perform, as he also acts as
Dental Surgeon at a very busy Clinic. He has carried out
his many duties with devotion, and I am glad to have this
opportunity of expressing my thanks to him.
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