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DENTAL CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Mothers are encouraged to bring their children for dental inspection
when they attend the Toddlers Clinics which are now held at all the
main Centres. In addition, expectant and nursing mothers and young
children under 5 years can obtain dental inspection and treatment at the
Council's dental surgeries.
Dental inspection and where necessary, treatment, carried out before
the age of 5 years is an important measure in preventive dentistry leading
to the early diagnosis of dental defects usually before extensive fillings
or extractions are necessary. At this time also advice can be given on
diet and oral hygiene and the importance of regular dental inspections
is stressed.
In a survey in the Borough of 1,516 five year old children
673 had already had some form of dental treatment before the time of their
first school dental inspection and 506 had sound teeth.
The numbers of children being brought for inspection and treatment
before they are five years of age is gradually increasing, although the
number of expectant and nursing mothers attending the Council's clinics is
low. Many of these, however, obtain their treatment privately.

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