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
Croydon 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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summary given below is for comparison with previous
years:—
| 1930. | 1931 | 1932. | 1933. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of new cases per session | 7.9 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.1 |
| Attendances per session | 13.7 | 12.4 | 13.6 | 12.3 |
| Killings per ordinary session | 4.3 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 5.4 |
| Extractions | 13.7 | 12.4 | 13.6 | 13.0 |
| Other operations | 1.5 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Gas cases during the year | 2,395 | 2,605 | 2,322 | 2,125 |
| Local anaesthetics | - | 1,638 | 3,914 | 3,881 |
| Permanent teeth extracted | 2,001 | 2,689 | 2,702 | 2,707 |
| Permanent teeth filled | 2,769 | 3,228 | 3,896 | 4,795 |
| Ratio of fillings to extractions | 1 :0.7 | 1 :0.8 | 1 :0.69 | 1 :0 5 |
| Temorary teeth extracted | 12,105 | 10,800 | 11,707 | 10,740 |
| Temporary teeth filled | 1,732 | 1,254 | 874 | 829 |
| Ratio of fillings to extractions | 1:6.9 | 1:8.6 | 1:13.3 | 1:12.5 |
Special Treatments.
Partial Dentures to replace incisors—7.
1 obturator was fitted.
Review of the Work Done.
During the year 30 more sessions were devoted to treatment
than in 1932; the amount of conservative treatment shows progressive
improvement, and the number of attendances still
increases. The ratio of permanent fillings to permanent extractions
has improved considerably from 1:0.8 in 1931 to 1:0.5 in
1933. While the extractions of permanent teeth remain practically
the same as last year there is a considerable reduction in the
number of temporary teeth extracted. Owing to the large number
of children attending the Central Schools, who were brought into
the Scheme a few years ago, it has been difficult to reduce the
number of extractions of permanent teeth. These children in
many instances appear to have rampant caries, and it is unfortunate
that not infrequently the second permanent molars are so
decayed that they are beyond all means of conservative treatment
Administrations of general anaesthetics were given to 2,125
children, a reduction in the number as compared with last vear.
The dental officers devoted 93 half-davs to gas administration,
and medical officers administered gas at 43 sessions at the Selhurst
Road Clinic.
Nitrous oxide is administered by dental surgeons at the
Lodge Road Treatment Centre, where a doctor is always in
attendance at another Clinic in the same building, in case a parent
wishes to have the child medically examined before being given
an anaesthetic.