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Dental Work.
In June, 1927, a part-time dentist was appointed for one halfday
per week to treat the teeth of children under five years of age
at the School Dental Clinic, West Ham Lane (kindly lent by the
Education Committee). This one half-day session has since had
to be increased by two additional sessions, which are carried out
at the Swanscombe Street School Dental Clinic.
Lectures are now given to the Midwives by the Assistant
Medical Officer for Maternity and Child Welfare, and they and
their work are carefully supervised.
The Nursing Homes Registration Act came into operation in
October, 1927, whereby all Nursing Homes have to be registered,
and these are now inspected at regular intervals by the Medical
Officer of Health.
During the period under review a closer co-operation has
been instituted between the Maternity and Child Welfare Service
and the auxiliary Health Services of the Borough.
The Sanatorium for Children at Langdon Hills was opened
last year, and provides for the treatment of any toddlers suffering
from pulmonary tuberculosis.
There can be no doubt that there is now a firm grip on the
conditions affecting the health of the populace of this Borough,
and it is certain that, given time, the innovations put into practice
during the past few years will prove to be of enormous benefit,
particularly to the health of the infants and mothers of West
Ham. Though much progress has been made, there is still need
for much more to be done in order to build up a complete and
efficient Maternity and Child Welfare Scheme, e.g. (1) additional
Antenatal and Infant Welfare Centres adjacent to some of the
poorer and most populated districts; (2) the erection or acquisition
of a Hospital for Babies; (3) a full-time dental-surgeon to
deal with the dental condition of the expectant mothers; as well
as of children under 5; (4) the establishment of Postnatal Clinics
for mothers: (5) the appointment of additional Health Visitors.
F. GARLAND COLLINS.
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