London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lewisham 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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DENTAL SERVICES (MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH)
In addition to the provision of treatment for school children at the four dental
clinics, facilities are also available at the same clinics to expectant and nursing mothers
and to children under the age of five years.
Efforts have especially been made to increase the number of treatment sessions
for very young children, by inspections carried out in day nurseries and at toddlers'
clinics. Gradually the number of attendances at such sessions showed increase from
a nil figure in July and August. Of two nurseries inspected, over 90% acceptances
resulted and attendances for treatment were excellent. Transport was provided to
take the children to and from the nurseries and the clinics. Inspections were started
in November at toddlers' clinics held in the Amersham Road Health Centre, an
average of 15 to 25 toddlers being examined each week. Children requiring treatment
were referred to the dental clinic and advice given to mothers on diet and oral hygiene.
The under-mentioned figures relate to the work of the Maternal and Child Health
Dental Service from 1st April to 31st December 1965:—
Table 12
| No. of persons examined | No. who commenced treatment | No. of courses of treatment completed | Scalings & gum treatments given | Fillings given | Silver Nitrate given | Extractions made | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expectant and Nursing mothers | 3 | 2 | - | 2 | - | - | - |
| Children under 5 and not eligible for school dental service | 268 | 112 | 91 | - | 96 | 2 | 23 |
SCHOOL FOR DENTAL AUXILIARIES
This school for training dental auxiliaries is provided under the auspices of the
General Dental Council at the New Cross Hospital.
The Director of the training school, Mr. J. V. Bingay, M.B.E., L.D.S., R.C.S.,
has submitted the following figures in respect of work carried out by the students:—
| (a) | Total attendances for treatment | 22,235 |
| (b) | Number of permanent teeth conserved | 3,635 |
| (c) | Number of deciduous teeth conserved | 5,981 |
| (d) | Total number of teeth conserved | 9,616 |
| (e) | Number of deciduous teeth extracted | 797 |
Each child who attended, received prophylactic treatment and was instructed in
the proper observance of oral hygiene. A high percentage of the children were
treated by topical application of Stannous Fluoride with the consent and co-operation
of the parent or guardian.
The School for Dental Auxiliaries is responsible for treating pupils from various
schools in Lewisham and Mr. Bingay reports generous support of his establishment
by these schools, the Heads of which also requested that student auxiliaries should
talk on various aspects of Dental health education to the pupils.
The figures quoted in this section do not relate to the work of the two dental
Surgeons who are employed by the Council and who work from the School; this
information is recorded in the section dealing with the school dental service.
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