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43
(b) Dental.—The following work was done by the Education
Committee's Dental Surgeons in respect of Maternity and Child
Welfare patients:—
1937
1938
1939
Mothers.
Children
under 5.
Mothers.
Children
under 5.
Mothers.
Children
under 5.
Cases Treated
339
138
210
130
184
92
Attendances
536
207
521
183
657
160
Fillings
150
114
176
56
221
84
Extractions
618
146
431
279
446
139
General Anaesthetics
227
76
180
96
171
73
Scalings
67
—
63
—
92
—
Dressings
8
235
10
26
34
30
Dentures
10
—
27
—
26
—
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 :—
"During the year 1939, 401 maternity and nursing cases,
mostly pre-natal, have been referred for dental treatment.
Number of appointments kept:—
(a) Expectant mothers from Thorpe Coombe 170
(b) Expectant mothers from Welfare Centres 43
(c) Nursing mothers 13
Total 226
Number receiving complete treatment 33
Number receiving partial treatment, but not attending
for completion 193
216
Number failing to keep appointments 28
Number deciding to postpone treatment indefinitely 3
"For the last quarter of the year a much greater time has been
devoted to maternity cases, owing to the evacuation of the school
children. The acceptance rate for that period was exceptionally
high. There has been a slight decrease in the incidence and
severity of diseases of the gums.
"Conservative work has increased. Fifteen patients were supplied
with dentures. 27 dentures were fitted.
"The provision of dental treatment for mothers of childbearing
age is not wide enough in its scope, and should not be
restricted to the ante-natal and nursing periods."