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 1952

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]

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Table: The results obtained from school inspections were as follows : —

The results obtained from school inspections were as follows : —

Acceptance of Treatment64.0%
Refused Treatment24.6%
Forms Not Returned11.4%

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As indicated there has been a further fall of 4 per cent, in
the acceptance rate, making a total decrease of some 10 per cent,
since the peak of 1949.
The fact that the above decline is chiefly discernable in the
more understaffed areas is a clear reflection of parental anxiety at
the slow progress of treatment. An additional reason is that with
less frequent visits to schools there is a corresponding loss of
interest in the value of conservative treatment.

Table: The following Table demonstrates the variation in the acceptance rate during recent years : —RESULTS OF SCHOOL INSPECTIONS.

The following Table demonstrates the variation in the acceptance rate during recent years : —

RESULTS OF SCHOOL INSPECTIONS.

1952.1951.1949.1943.1937.
No. referred for—
Treatment10723129209404904113498
Consents6867 : 64%8790 :68%6996 : 74.4%5642 :62.4%7762 : 57.5%
(Total Consents Including Specials)*9727 :71.6%)(11358:73 3%)(10098:80.7%)(6814 : 67%)(10146:63%)
Refusals2639 :24.6%2390 :18.5%1213:12.9%1519 : 16.8%3242 : 24%
Forms Not Returned1217 :11.4 %1740 :13.5%1195:12.7%1880 : 20.8%2494:18.5%

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* Specials.—Those referred by Head Teachers with Emergency Forms
Arrangements for Treatment.
Of 13,583 children referred for treatment (including specials)
10,493 (77.2 per cent.) were treated and 8,318 (61.3 per cent.) cured
completely, compared with 15,488 referred, 10,067 (65 per cent.)
treated and 8,353 (54 per cent.) cured in 1951.
As a result of one part time dentist changing to full time
status overall treatment sessions rose from 2,260 to 2,452. Part
time assistance declined somewhat from 814 to 753 sessions.
Whilst most treatment figures show a corresponding increase,
the index of fillings inserted suffered a slight set-back, by falling
from 107.7 to 106.9 per 100 children treated.