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Babies and young children who were found to be handicapped
were included in the handicapped children register and
kept under regular observation. Those who would be likely to
require special education treatment as handicapped pupils were
brought forward for ascertainment at the appropriate time, but in
the majority of cases, the need for classification as handicapped
pupils does not arise, provided the child is capable of receiving
education in a normal school. At the end of the year 153 children
under the age of 5 years were recorded as handicapped or under
investigation for potential handicap.
Specialist and treatment clinics
Orthopeadic, ophthalmic, speech therapy, chiropody, physiotherapy
and orthoptic sessions are held at the clinics and are
available to children under the age of five as well as for children
attending school. Similarly children requiring specialist advice
or treatment are referred to Hospital Consultants in the same
manner as in the School Health Service. During the year 439
children under five were referred for special treatment or advice.
Dental Treatment
Dental treatment is provided free of charge at the Authority's
Clinics for children under 5 years of age. Table 11 below gives
particulars of treatment provided during 1966 compared with the
previous year:

It is important that a child's first set of teeth are well
cared for and that dental inspection should be commenced at an
early age so that appropriate treatment can be provided at the
first signs of dental decay. 7% of the dentist's time during 1966
was devoted to treatment of mothers and young children, compared
with 6% during the previous year (the major contribution
being to the School Dental Service). A Ministry report on the
dental services in the Borough during the year commented
favourably on the ratio of fillings to teeth extracted, which was
better than average and has been further improved by the efforts
of all members of the staff.
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