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
Bexley 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
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Mr. Forrester, Chief Dental Officer reports: Staffing
| Estabs. | 1971 | 1970 | 1971 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | No. of Posts | In Post | |
| Principal School Dental Officer | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Senior Dental Officers | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Dental Officers | 4.25 | 3.4 | 3.7 |
| Dental Auxiliaries | 2 | 0.8 | 1.8 |
| Superintendent Dental Surgery Assistants | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Dental Surgery Assistants | 8.25 | 5.8 | 7.8 |
| TOTAL | 18.5 | 13.0 | 17.3 |
The staffing situation was improved by the recent appointment of a sessional Dental Officer
to a Senior Dental Officer post, 1 Dental Auxiliary to Thamesmead Health Centre and the
equivalent of 2 full time Dental Surgery Assistants in support.
The Whitley Salary Scale for Dental Surgery Assistant recruitment still creates difficulty in
view of the age bar, which prevents appointment of young experienced Dental Surgery Assistants
because a competitive salary cannot be offered.
Clinics
The policy of replacing obsolete equipment has continued, although not at the speed
envisaged, due to financial restrictions which only permitted re-equipment of Woodside Road
Clinic.
Inspections
All but 9 schools were inspected in 1971 covering approximately 80% of the school
population. The failure to inspect all schools was due to the prolonged illness of one of the
Dental Officers.
Of the children inspected, 31% did not attend a dental practitioner for regular dental care,
and 38% were found to be in need of treatment.
I wish to record my appreciation of co-operation of Head Teachers and Staff in organising
these inspections.
87