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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
MOTHERS AND CHILDREN UNDER SCHOOL AGE
At the end of 1953 there were four whole-time and five parttime
dental officers employed in the Area, representing a total of
6^ 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 unrgently 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.
14. CARE OF OLD PEOPLE
The problem of old people, especially the aged and chronic
infirm, is one which constantly occupies our attention. This is a
problem with numerous facets, in which many bodies and authorities
are concerned. Although the problem of old age is
predominantly a welfare matter, it will be obvious that it is one
which cannot be disassociated with public health.
Up to the moment, our activities have mainly been directed
towards the supply of Home Helps and Home Nurses, where
admission to hospital is either undesirable or cannot be arranged.
We also use our Health Visitors to visit old people in their homes,
while we assist at least one large hospital in paying geriatric visits.
I am especially perturbed to think that cases of extreme hardship
occur among old people which may never come to our
attention. For this reason I recently addressed a letter to general
practitioners and to local organisations, asking them to let us know
whenever such cases are discovered, so that we might play our
part in helping to effect a remedy. T have also instructed my staff
to act in a similar capacity.
There is no doubt that the question of old age and its problems
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