View report page

Care of the Unsupported Mother and Child
One of the former County Council Special Services Almoners was appointed by the London
Borough of Ealing, and arrangements made for her services to be shared with Hillingdon and
Hounslow. This has maintained continuity in the service and a close liaison exists between the
Almoner, the officers of the Health and Welfare Department and the social workers of charitable
organisations concerned with these cases.
Arrangements are made for the welfare of unsupported mothers during pregnancy, their place
of confinement, and return to normal life. Advice and help are given where the mother wishes to
keep the child, or in the case of adoption, steps are taken to ensure that this is properly carried out.
In the majority of cases the mother is concerned for her child's wellbeing and anxious to make the
right decision as to its future.
There is no Mother and Baby Home in Hillingdon, and the Council accepts responsibility for
the maintenance of cases in the Homes of other Local Authorities, and in those of various voluntary
bodies.
The numbers of cases dealt with during the year were as follows:—
Admitted to Local Authority Homes 34
Admitted to Voluntary Homes 61
95
Interviewed, but not needing admission to a Home 11
Priority Dental Service
Since the National Health Service Act came into operation, there has been a gradual decline in
the number of expectant and nursing mothers receiving dental treatment at clinics, and it is evident
that a substantial number receive attention from private practitioners. Although expectant and
nursing mothers with many decayed teeth are now uncommon at any stage of pregnancy or lactation,
of course, exceptions from time to time do occur.
The number of children in the age group 0-5 years who attended for dental treatment was also
low—633 attending during 1965. Of this number only 146 were free from dental decay when
examined. It is however pleasing to note that the ratio of fillings to extractions is of the order of
approximately 5:1.
In the past too many young children were introduced to the dentist in emergency and for the
relief of pain. This to the sensitive child had a very disturbing effect, and often made future treatment
difficult. However the position is much more enlightened today, and more and more parents
are seeking advice for their children when they reach 3 years of age. This attitude is in no small
measure due to the attraction of new clinics with pleasing waiting rooms and modern equipment.
Dental Health Education at school and elsewhere by all members of the medical and dental staff
also plays its part.
Where, for any reason, it is necessary to increase the intake of vitamins for young children by
giving concentrated orange juice or certain vitamin syrups, oral hygiene must be observed. It has
been noted that severe dental decay can occur when certain of these substances are directed onto
the teeth, particularly when "baby feeders" are used.
Fluoridation of water would be an effective means of reducing the incidence of dental decay
in children, but this measure is unlikely to be in operation in the immediate future.
28