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with the dental surgeon of their choice. Another factor is that a mother
may only attend for twelve months after the confinement. Continuity of
treatment is, I am certain, very important and the fact that they may only
attend for a limited period stops many mothers attending at all.
Dentures were supplied to patients whenever it was considered
necessary. These were made at a local dental laboratory.
1,092 visits to dental clinics were made by mothers and young
children during 1968 an increase of 25% and 261 sessions were held for
this purpose, 43 more than during 1967.
Fluoridation of water supplies should be the next major step to be
taken in the field of preventive dentistry. However, it appears it will be
many years before this is possible.
The addition of one part of fluoride per million of water would reduce
the number of caries teeth in children by 50-60%.
I would to thank all Medical Officers, Health Visitors, Clinic Nurses,
Health Education Officer and staff for their assistance in trying to encourage
more of these under 5 year old children to be under regular
dental care.
34
Specialist
Clinics
Specialists clinics for orthopaedic, ophthalmic, ear, nose and throat
and speech defects were held and details of attendances of all children
are shown on paqes 63-67.
Day
Nurseries
The two Council day nurseries, one in Ley Street and one in Goodmayes
Lane, continued to function without difficulty during 1968.
It was necessary, however, to close the Ley Street premises for two
weeks from 23rd November to allow certain interior alterations to be
undertaken, but thanks to the co-operation of the church authorities the
children were satisfactorily accommodated at the IIford High Road
Baptist Church Hall for this period.
The free places available in each nursery for children on medical
grounds were always fully occupied, and the details of all attendances
are shown in appendix 11.
Private Day
Nurseries and
Child Minders
The Health Services and Public Health Act 1968, Section 60, which
amends the Nurseries and Child Minders Regulation Act 1948 came into
force in November 1968 with a three months period of grace for Child