[Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Monmouthshire County Council.

  • Monmouthshire (Wales). County Council.
Date:
1957
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1957] / Medical Officer of Health, Monmouthshire County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/108 (page 11)
    wardness in one or both parents are an almost common factor. This shows it- self in irregular work habits of the father, poor housekeeping and inability to spend the usually meagre family income wisely by the mother, with conse- quent neglect and lack of care of the children, although in most cases there is abundant affection; and it is this last fact, namely a strong bond of affection between the mother and children, which is the most important of all, if the children are to become useful well adjusted citizens. It is therefore, imper- ative to do all one can to preserve a family as a self contained social unit. Moreover, as it costs as much each week to maintain one child) “ in care ” as it does to provide a family help, the financial saving to the ratepayers is con- siderable. Report of Senior Dental Officer on Dental Treatment for Expectant and Nursing Mothers, and Children under Five Years of Age. During the .year 1957, thle Dental Staff consisted of G full-time and 1 part-time Dentists. The School Dental Service absorbed most of the time of the Dental Staff and it was still not possible to undertake the routine dental examination of Maternity and Child Welfare patients. However, a satis- factory service was maintained with regard to such patients referred for dental treatment. All new cases attending Ante-Natal Clinics were examined for dental sepsis, etc., by the medical officer in charge and suitable cases referred to the Dental Clinics. Nursing mothers and children at the Infant Welfare Clinics were also similarly supervised. Many women did not accept the facili- ties offered1, but made their own arrangements. In a number of cases, how- evei, it was noted that, having had dental extractions carried out privately, the women were anxious to avail themselves of the Council’s Scheme, in order to obtain free dentures. There were 11 Dental Clinics in operation at the end of the year, and the equivalent of 208 half-day sessions were devoted to Maternity and Child Wel- fare patients during the year. At the end of 1957 one dental technician was employed in the Council’s dental laboratories. Expectant and nursing mothers and also young children were given priority for dental treatment, which was arranged without delay in well- equipped modern dental surgeries which were situated in- convenient parts of t. e County. Conservative treatment was undertaken where possible but extrac- tions, scalings, etc., were carried out when required. An Oral Hygienist was employed for scaling, polishing, etc., and she did goo work with advice on oral hygiene. Her advice was especially appreciated y teenage girls. The Oral Hygienist was occupied1 mostly with School Child- ren, but treated other cases as necessary.