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The prevention of premature births and the care of premature infants remains one of
our most difficult problems. Although the majority of the births and deaths are bound to
occur in hospital, the local authority service Is concerned with factors affecting the
expectant mothers' health and welfare which may predispose to prematurity. The Local
Authority is also Interested In the provision of the best possible facilities for the care
of these delicate Infants; their own responsibility lies only in relation to babies who are
born or reared at home, but they are vitally concerned to see that all the skill and care
provided is such that these babies are given every chance, not only to survive, but to
become normal children without handicaps and with thB possibility of attaining optimum
development.
Dental Care.
The continued shortage of dental officers has compelled the continuance of a limited
service based on early evening clinics for expectant and nursing mothers and an appropriate
share of day-time clinics in the case of young children. Within these limits this arrangement
has worked reasonably well and has enabled treatment to be given to those in greatest
need, but the situation cannot be regarded as satisfactory until It becomes possible to provide
a comprehensive service for all those mothers and young children attending the Council's clinics.
Statistics for the year 1953 are set out below. They show that the trend towards
treatment of more expectant and nursing mothers and fewer younger children has continued
during the year. The latter is a matter for regret. Preventive dentistry should start with
the ^re-school child, as dental fitness during school life is so much more difficult to
achieve if it has been neglected in the pre-school years. The small amount of conservative
dentistry performed, in comparison with the large number of extractions, is particularly
disappointing. The retention of the milk teeth helps to preserve the contour of the Jaws
and leave space for the permanent teeth to grow Into later on. They should never be lightly
sacrificed, but unfortunately, all too many are past saving when the child first comes for
treatment.