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In addition to this, from the dental side there is provision of everything that can ensure
that the mother's mouth is cleaned before her confinement.
Where this necessitates the removal of large numbers of teeth, there is the provision subsequently
of dentures.
Where the extractions are numerous, in order that the expectant mother shall get the least
possible upset, an arrangement exists with the Royal Free Hospital (Eastman Dental Clinic), to
admit the patients to their beds for one or two nights, as may be necessary, for which we pay at
the rate of 15s. per night.
Thus, I think without fear of contradiction, we can say that in this area we have one of the
most complete schemes, if not the most complete, in the country for ensuring the safety of our
parturient women.
These deaths are investigated by the Medical Officer of Health as far as possible, in conjunction
with the medical practitioner in attendance, and the report is made on the prescribed form
to the Maternal Mortality Committee of the Ministry of Health. Some difficulty is experienced
in getting reports which are of any substantial value.
The maternal mortality rate is based on the number of deaths of mothers per 1,000 live and
still births. The number of live and still births during the year was 1,501. Excluding the death
following abortion, the incidence of deaths of mothers following confinements in 1935, was 6
mothers died out of 1,501, or 4 per 1,000.
The rate for the two previous years were, year 1933—4.89; year 1934—2.93.

The rate for England and Wales was 3.93.
Although there is no Municipal Maternity Home included in the foregoing arrangements
made by the Borough Council, the erection of a first-class Maternity Block for 31 mothers and
their infants in the West Middlesex County Hospital, provides a service which otherwise would
become the duty of the Borough Council.
DENTAL CLINIC.
The following is from the Dental Surgeon's Report for the year:—
MATERNITY & CHILD WELFARE DENTAL SCHEME, 1935.
General Comments.
Supply of Cases.—There was an increase in the number of patients dealt with. Net
attendances increased from 1,576 in 1934 to 2,303 in 1935.
Evaluation of the above figures.—They do not altogether give a full value of the work
they have entailed, because in dealing with the youngest of the young and the "all sorts" conditions
of the Mothers, greater difficulty is experienced in disposing of these cases.