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Mr. L. W. Elmer, L.D.S., Senior Dental Surgeon, submits the
following report from Mrs. W. R. Thorne, L.D.S., with regard to
dental treatment under the Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme:—
"The year 1937 has shown an increase in the number of
Maternity and Child Welfare cases requiring treatment at the
Dental Clinic. This increase is doubtless due to general propaganda
about health matters, and the stressing of the need for a
better standard of health in the expectant mother. People cannot
fail to be affected by this trend of thought, even though, in their
general habits of life they are indifferent to dental fitness, and do
not visit the dentist until pain compels them to seek relief at his
hands.
"Formerly the expectant mother postponed all possible dental
treatment during her pregnancy lest the treatment might have an
adverse effect upon the child. That idea is being replaced by the
desire of the mother to enjoy the best possible health at that period
for her child's sake and also for her own. There was and still
is, to some extent, a fear of dental treatment during pregnancy.
In most cases mothers are easily assured.
"The figures for the past year are worth a little consideration.
436 patients were referred for treatment from Thorpe
Coombe Maternity Hospital and Welfare Centres and 339 oases
have received treatment, some completely and some partially, the
latter usually for extractions.
"805 appointments for treatment were made : 536 attendances
are recorded.
"At the first visit all cases are examined and the treatment
required is charted. If possible the treatment is commenced at
that visit. On the morning allotted for new cases there is an
anaesthetic session; this arrangement works very well because the
patient not infrequently has suffered and is glad to have speedy
relief. If the patient applies late in gestation and there is not