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108
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:—
"Expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years
old wishing to have dental treatment were able to obtain this at two
clinics in the Ilford area. The patients living in the north side of
Ilford were treated by Mr. Wilson at Kenwood Clinic and those in
the south by myself at Mayesbrook Clinic. Full dental treatment was
given to all patients who agreed to attend one of the above clinics.
The number of mothers attending the dental clinics during 1963
was almost the same as in the previous year. This figure, however,
is lower than a few years ago. The reason for this is that the mothers
are now more dentally conscious and 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
than it was and we seldom see grossly neglected mouths in the
younger mothers.
It is noticeable from the attendance figures at Mayesbrook
and Kenwood Clinics that there is more demand for treatment in the
Mayesbrook area. This is due partly to the public reaction to clinics
in different areas. Many more mothers in the Kenwood area prefer to
attend private practitioners than those living in the Mayesbrook area.
During 1963 the total number of children treated in Ilford
increased by nearly 50%. This was due to the fact that it was felt
that many small children do not receive dental treatment before
going to school and so with the help of the medical officers and
nurses many more children were referred to Mr. Wilson or myself.
Dental health propaganda such as posters and notices in welfare
clinics also helped to increase the children treated.
This service will increase even more during the next year
when Mr. Hodgson will be undertaking increasing Dental Health
Education and treatment of children under the age of five. I ara
certain that one of the main ways to combat dental disease is to
start now with the very young children. By showing their mothers
the importance of good dental habits and regular dental treatment