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12
PRIORITY DENTAL SERVICE
(Table 5)
Report of the Chief Dental Officer
More sessions are now being devoted to this service, more patients treated, and more treatment
completed. It is felt, however, that only a tiny minority of those requiring dental treatment are actually
seen, particularly in the under live group. This is verified by the number found to require treatment at their
first school inspection. As there is no compulsory inspection for this age group, it is not possible to assess
the percentage which should have treatment. It is important therefore to intensify dental health education
for expectant and nursing mothers by every possible means, and to make them aware that full dental
treatment is now available on request.
The dread of the dental chair by young children is decreasing, and the blame for the small numbers
being treated must be attributed to the apathy or ignorance of parents. Much suffering would be avoided
and many teeth saved if more parents appreciated the need for and cared more about dental treatment for
young children. Many youngsters and teenagers of tomorrow may well feel resentful regarding the indifference
of their parents today.
PREVENTION OF BREAK-UP OF FAMILIES
The specialised support which the service gives to families in need has been well maintained throughout
the year. A hard core of problem families exists in the Borough and all available help is given by the
Council's officers to support, advise and encourage such families to be self-supporting. This is extremely time
consuming, and selected cases are referred to the Family Service Unit for their intensive case-work.
Case conferences are called when necessary, an evaluation of progress made, and future methods
of helping the family are discussed and selected by joint consultation of all officers involved.
Withdrawal of the Family Service Unit social worker is gradual and the Council's officer resumes
responsibility when the family shows signs of being able to manage their affairs with less intensive help.
Most cases are protracted, many need guidance with finance and budgeting, and/or personal relationship with
family and friends.
During 1970, 7 new cases were accepted by the Family Service Unit, 15 cases were closed, and
the total case-load was 39.
The Council made a grant of £4,000 to the Unit in 1970/71.
DAY NURSERIES
(Tables 6 and 7)
The Council has 12 day nurseries providing places for 590 children. The standard charge was
increased from 17s. 6d. to 25s. Od. per child per day from 7th January 1970, and the minimum charge was
increased from 1s. Od. to 1s. 9d. per day from 30th November 1970.
Twenty-three students completed their two-year period of training and 20 obtained the N.N.E.B.
Certificate. Two matrons attended the Annual Conference of the National Association of Nursery Matrons.
The outstanding work at Vale Farm Nursery, which was approved by the Home Office under the
first Phase of the Urban Programme, was completed early in April and re-admission of children commenced
on 23rd April. The work consisted of improvement of toilet and cloakroom facilities for children aged 1 to
5, replacement of solid fuel boilers by gas fired boilers, and enlargement of kitchen, at a total cost of £12,500.
The building of the 50 place nursery within the Neighbourhood Centre Scheme at the junction of
Harlesden Road and Longstone Avenue continued and is due for completion in July 1971. The revised estimated
cost of the nursery is £53,900 which includes furniture and fees. It was decided by the Council that the
nursery will be known as the Furness Day Nursery.
No further action was taken on the proposal to build a 50 place nursery in the Chalkhill Redevelopment
area. The Department of Health and Social Security agreed the need for the nursery but because the
number of applications for loan sanction for day nurseries exceeded the amount of capital available for
day nursery building, it was not possible for the Secretary of State to include it in the list of capital building
projects for which it was hoped to provide loan sanction in the years 1970/71—1972/73.
CARE OF THE UNSUPPORTED MOTHER AND HER CHILD
(Table 8)
Residential accommodation for ante- and post-natal periods is provided by the Council in "Bellevue"
Mother and Baby Home which accommodates 12 mothers and 12 babies. Use was also made of similar
homes run by other local authorities and voluntary organisations. The services of a Social Worker are
provided to deal with cases referred from many quarters for help, which includes counselling and advice,
where necessary hostel placement before and after delivery, and most important, after-care for both mother
and child. The services of the Social Worker are shared with the London Borough of Harrow.
"Bellevue" was full for most of the year. The number of admissions increased from 59 in 1969 to
78 this year. The average length of stay during the post-natal period increased from 40 days in 1969 to 45
days, and the average length of stay during the ante-natal period was 27 days, which is in line with most
other mother and baby homes.