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At the Antenatal Clinics stress is laid on the preventive aspect
of the work, with especial reference to suitable diet for the expectant
mother. The provision of free meals in addition to milk for
necessitous mothers has enabled the women to carry out the advice
given at the Clinics, the resultant benefit in general health of the
mothers who have had this help being evident to the Medical
Officers and Health Visitors who supervise these women.
The importance of dental treatment for mothers is also
emphasised; and there is a greater willingness now for this treatment
in pregnancy, especially amongst the younger mothers. It
is deplorable, however, to see the high degree of dental caries
present in these young women, necessitating multiple extractions
and provision of dentures at an early age.
Postnatal examinations are undertaken at the Antenatal Sessions
at the Council's Clinics, but it is hoped in the near future
that separate post-natal sessions may be established, whereby
much ill-health and unnecessary suffering following childbirth
may be alleviated or prevented.
The attendances at the Infant Welfare sessions have been
satisfactory at all Clinics; 82.3 per cent. of infants born in 1935
attended Clinics during the first year of life. Through attendance
at the Clinics the mother is put in touch with the many facilities
for the benefit of herself or her child, such as convalescent
treatment, sunlight, dental and orthopaedic treatment, or admission
to hospital. Treatment of a sick child is definitely debarred
at the Council's Clinics, whose work is purely preventive and educative,
but, in all cases where necessary, the means are available
for a sick child to have treatment under the Maternity and Child
Welfare Services of the Council.
Dental Treatment.
Dental treatment is provided for expectant and nursing
mothers and for the pre-school child through attendance at the
various clinics in the Borough. The dental scheme for mothers
provides for dentures to be supplied in cases selected by the
Dental Surgeon. Payment is claimed from the patient for dentures
according to a scale approved by the Council.
The improvement in recent years of the teeth of the toddler
may be accounted for partly by the better feeding of the infant
and young child, and partly by the better understanding of the
parent in regard to the need for care of the primary teeth. It is
a rule at the Council's Dental Clinics that a child who is referred
lor this treatment shall be re-examined thereafter at regular
intervals until he goes to school.
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