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 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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111
The following Table illustrates the suggested "long term"
plan of development mentioned above, together with the increase
in staff likely to be required:—
PRESENT AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS.
| Year. | Estimated Increase in School Population. | Total. | Probable Increase in Dental Officers Required | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Present Population | 25,680 | 1 | (Woodside)* | |
| 1947 | Plus 14-15 age group, | 1,855 | 27,575 | 1 | (Addington)* |
| 1948-9 | Plus 15-16 age group, | 1,855 | — | ||
| Plus Housing Estate | 5,260 | 34,690 | 2 | (Lodge Rd. extension) | |
| 1950 and onwards. | Plus County Colleges | 7,000 | |||
| Plus Nursery Schools | 800 | 42,490 | 1-2 | ||
| Total: | 5-6 | ||||
| *Now behind schedule. | |||||
Inspections.
The number of children on the register at Primary and
Secondary Schools within the Borough at the close of 1950 was
29,235. Including an additional 77 free-place scholars at nonmaintained
schools, this represents a sum total of 29,312.
Of these 23,534 were inspected and 11,716 (50 per cent.)
referred for treatment, compared with 20,478 inspected and 9,404
referred in 1949.
Though these figures show an increase of some 4 per cent. in
the number requiring treatment this does not necessarily indicate
a worsening of the dental condition generally. Bearing in mind
the fact that fewer children received treatment as "emergency"
cases before their school could be inspected, it is probable that the
above findings are of only passing significance.
Owing to lack of staff, sixteen departments (Primary and
Secondary) comprising some 4,140 children, received no routine
dental inspection during the year.
The results obtained from school inspections were as follows:
| Acceptance of Treatment | 71.9% |
| Refused Treatment | 15.0% |
| Forms Not Returned | 13.1% |