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Dental Services
The increase in the number of sessions devoted to M. & C.W. dentistry was
maintained during the year and the total of M. & C.W. sessions equalled approximately
3.1 per cent of the dental activity in the Borough. The amount of treatment
for expectant and nursing mothers remained at the same level but there was a 10 per
cent increase in the number of children under five inspected and given treatment.
The number of fillings rose and extractions were less than the previous year.
This is a welcome trend and one which it is hoped will be maintained as it is most
important to preserve the first teeth so that every child may begin school free from
dental disease. A survey carried out in infant schools throughout the I.L.E.A. area
during the first half of the year to discover the dental condition of school entrants
showed that of 3,000 5-year-old children examined in Southwark, only 570 (19 per
cent) had naturally completely healthy teeth and of the remainder (81 per cent) each
child had on average one tooth missing having been extracted, one tooth filled and
two teeth in need of filling.
These figures underline the importance of the M. & C.W. dental service and
also the fact that an improvement of the dental condition of the under 5's will lessen
the pressures on the School Dental Service.
Dental Health Education
This is an important factor in encouraging dental care for mothers and young
children and this emphasis was maintained throughout the year in the active cooperation
between the Borough Health Education and Home Safety Officer and the
Dental Auxiliary who devoted an increasing proportion of time to dental health
education including visits to welfare centres and mothers clubs.
Day Nurseries
All children in day nurseries were inspected in the course of the year and it is
intended to have at least an annual inspection for this group. The proportion requiring
treatment was approximately 32 per cent.
"The Hollies"
The number of treatment sessions held at "the Hollies", a Southwark Borough
Council children's home, rose to 36 with a corresponding increase in the amount of
treatment.
CYTOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY UTERINE CANCER—"WELL
WOMEN" CLINICS
Following Ministry of Health Circular 18/66, which urged on all responsible
authorities expansion of population screening services for cancer of the cervix,
arrangements were made to meet with representatives of the Inner London Executive
Council, the Inner London Local Medical Committee, King's College Hospital and
Guy's Hospital in order to co-ordinate local arrangements to implement the suggestions
contained therein.
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