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43
Redecoration and Improvements to Premises
Day Nurseri es
The Area Surveyor for Building Maintenance prepared a scheme for
transfer of the laundry equipment installed at the Higham Hill
Nursery to the Annexe, and for the provision in the latter of a sink
and new water heater. The vacated laundry was then converted for
use as a baby bathroom.
At the Handsworth Avenue Nursery an additional "Drugasar" gas
heater was installed in the corridor serving the sanitary area and
bathroom to overcome problems of cold and condensation.
At both Nurseries coloured linoleum tiles were laid in the Hall,
Office, Isolation Room and Staff Room which considerably improved
the appearance of these rooms.
General
Internal and external redecorations in accordance with the
phased programme of annual improvements were carried out in various
premises under the control of the Health Area Sub-Committee.
General Dental Service
The General Dental Service figures included in the statistical
summary on page 56 of this report unfortunately indicate a further
reduction in the volume of work. This is due to staff losses which
so far we have been unable to make good. Discussion are taking
place with the Essex Executive Council to try and recruit a parttime
dental surgeon for the General Dental Service, and it is hoped
that these will be fruitful before long.
One interesting point is the reduction of General Anaesthetic
cases. This is due, not only to the fact that there are fewer new
cases coming for treatment because it takes us all our time to care
for those patients we already have, but it is also due to the
tendency for cases requiring multiple extractions to be referred to
the Oral Surgery Unit at Honey Lane Hospital.
Section 22, CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Priority Dental Service
There has been a slight increase in the number of mothers
requesting treatment for themselves or for their children under
school age. It would appear that many mothers who seek treatment
outside the local Health Authority Service do not take full
advantage of the facilities offered for their children. Some of
them seem unaware that dental service is provided in conjunction
with other child welfare services.