[Report 1948] / Medical Officer of Health, Cumberland County Council.

  • Cumberland County Council
Date:
1948
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1948] / Medical Officer of Health, Cumberland County Council. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    59/98 (page 59)
    This, of course, raises a (]UCstioii of propaganda, and it is possilile that much might be achieved by caicfully ])lanned talks througli organisations such as the \Vomen’s Institutes, and at the same time health visitors can render a great deal of assistance by explaining to mothers the desirability of regular care for the “ under-lives.” Until recently very little concern has been shown for deciduous teeth apart from the relief of pain, so that it need not occasion surprise if parents do not see the need for treatment as ” they will come out soon, anyway\” On the other hand, there is no doubt that the best propaganda is the indisputable evidence that healthy mouths and sound teeth can alone provide, and it is up to the dental officers to produce this evidence. At the jiresent time it is apparent that the “under-fives” are not likely to receive much treatment from private practitioners, so that it becomes increasingly important for the local authority dental ser\dce to be maintained and gradually expanded to meet a demand that will doubtless increase as the advantages of treatment are gradually realized by the parents. *It reflects great credit on the staff that so far no one has left the service for the El Dorado of private practice, and the county is most fortunate in this. At present the staff is only one short, the vacancy being caused by the re.signation of Miss D. M. Stark ; this negatived the increase which was intended by the appointment of Dr. T. D. Thompson. Under present conditions little can be done about this, and it is feared that the hoped-for expansion must await the settlement of the salary question which has caused such an upheaval in the country as a whole, as apart from the lay press it is not possible to advertise for staff.” *Sincc the above was written, one assistant dental OtI'icer lias resigned to take up private practice. .\t the time of going tr. press ad\ ertiscments are being accepted by the dental journals. (a) Adults. Cases Cases brought Cases Treatment carried Sei vice. forward Referred Cancelled, completed, fonvard. from 1947. in 1948. to 1949 Ante-natal 65 . . 210 99 .. 85 .. 91 \\'elfare . . 33 . . 25 21 .. 37 .. — T uberculosis 1 .. 4 2 .. 3 .. — Tuberculosis (lilencathra) 25 59 — . . 37 . . * Total 124 .. 298 .. 122 .. 162 .. 91 *.\11 patients transferred to the Regional Hospital Board on 5th July, 1948.