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In addition 319 lectures on "Mothercraft" were given by the health
visitors at their ante-natal relaxation classes at the health services
clinics, a series of 12 lectures constituting each course.
Posters covering varied aspects of Health were displayed at the
Public Health Offices and the health services clinics throughout the year.
HOME SAFETY.— For some years King George Hospital have been
most co-operative in advising us of the patients treated for home accidents.
At our own request this reporting is still being continued but is now confined
to children under the age of five years and elderly persons, who are
then followed-up by the health visitors.
DENTAL TREATMENT.- Mr. E. V. Haigh, the Senior Dental
Officer, has submitted the following report:-
"Dental treatment for expectant and nursing mothers and children
under fiveyears old continued to be provided on similar lines to
past years. The patients were treated at Kenwood Gardens and
Mayesbrook Clinics.
The treatment, which consisted of conservative dentistry,
extractions and supplying of dentures when required, was carried
out by myself at Mayesbrook Clinic and, until May, 1962, at Kenwood
Gardens Clinic. In May Mr. Willson became a full-time dental officer
at Kenwood Gardens Clinic and he has ably carried on treatment of
these patients living in the north side of the Borough and I have
continued at Mayesbrook.
It is most noticeable that there are less mothers wishing to
avail themselves of this dental service. This is due in my opinion to
the fact that they are receiving regular dental treatment by private
practitioners under the National Health Service. The dental health of
most of these patients is much better and we seldom see grossly
neglected mouths in the younger mothers as we did a few years ago.
With the young children under five years old the condition of
their mouths is not so good. Many private dentists do not wish to
treat small children and so they are neglected and conservative
dentistry does not commence at an early enough age. The parents
often wait until the child has pain and then extractions are necessary.
I am hoping, now that we have more staff, to encourage parents
to bring their small children for early inspections and so start regular
dental treatment, thus avoiding the loss of many teeth before they go
to school.