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31
The number of children under five years old, however,
increased over the 1964 figure, some 704 children having
been examined during 1965. This increase has continued over
the past few years. It is due partly to health education, but
mainly due to Medical Officers, Health Visitors and Nurses
making parents realise the importance of commencing dental
supervision and treatment at an early age. The need to get
many more of the pre-school children to receive regular dental
care must be one of our main aims. This can only be done
with the help of the medical and nursing staff.
It is interesting to note that more fillings were completed
for these children yet the number of extractions fell by 25%
over the 1964 statistics. This shows in my opinion that more
children are receiving dental care either under the general
dental service or local authority clinic.
The use of high speed aerators for cavity preparation
continued to be of great value. It is surprising how well even
very small children accept this method of cavity preparation.
Dentures were supplied to patients whenever it was considered
necessary, these being made at a local dental laboratory.
The sale of toothbrushes continued in dental clinics to
assist in furthering dental health education. I have, continued
with one evening session per week for mothers who are unable
to attend during the day sessions. Many mothers who are at
work or unable to leave young children prefer these evening
sessions. It is noticeable that these patients are more relaxed
due I think to the fact they are able to leave their children at
home".
Specialists clinics for orthopaedic, ophthalmic, ear, nose
and throat and speech defects were held and details of attendances
are in Appendix 10.
The Council's
Day Nurseries
The Council has two day nurseries, at Ley Street and at
Goodmayes Lane. Both buildings are of the familiar wartime
design and structure, with similar layout of rooms. Each
nursery can cater for children from the age of a few weeks to
five years.
Children are admitted on a priority basis and parents are
assessed to pay a daily charge. By the nature of the priority
groups all of the children accommodated are in one way or
another 'deprived', that is to say a full home life is not possible