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
London County Council 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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104
Sodium
Fluoride
treatment
In 1948 I reported certain investigations at Hutton and Hornchurch Residential
Schools on the effect of topical applications of sodium fluoride to children's teeth.
At both schools results were inconclusive as movements of children destroyed
continuity of treatment and subsequent investigation.
In September, 1949, the Council appointed three dental hygienists in order to
conduct a more comprehensive investigation of the efficacy of sodium fluoride and
this staff, under the supervision of full-time dental surgeons, will treat throughout
a period of two years a number of caries-free or dentally fit children. Half the
number will receive careful dental prophylaxis only while the remainder will be
treated in addition with 2 per cent, sodium fluoride. At the end of a year revisional
examination should indicate the degree of recurrence of dental caries in the two
groups.
Caries
investigation
Further examinations of the dental condition of five-year-old school childre were undertaken during 1949 by Lady Mellanby on behalf of the Medical Researc Council, and the following table shows the results of her findings during 1929-194J
| Year | Children | Teeth | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number examined | per-cent caries-free | per-cent caries-free + those almost caries-free | Total number of teeth | per-cent caries-free | |
| 1929 | 1,293 | * | 4.7 | - | - |
| 1943 | 1,870 | 14.9 | 24.2 | 36,196 | 69.9 |
| 1945 | 691 | 24.2 | 28.1 | 13,381 | 73.5 |
| 1947 | 1,590 | 28.1 | 37.5 | 30,839 | 79.7 |
| 1949 | 692 | 14.9 | 24.9 | 13,328 | 73.3 |
*The percentage of caries-free children at this time was negligible.
In the report on her findings, Lady Mellanby states "it is difficult at present
to suggest a reason for this apparent lapse between 1947 and 1949, following the
previously observed improvement in the dental condition of children of the same
age group; it may represent merely a periodic fluctuation, or it may mark the
beginning of a progressive deterioration. It is hoped to make a sixth survey in
1951, when it will be seen how the trend has resolved itself."
Orthodontic
treatment
The revised method, introduced during 1948, lor obtaining treatment of dental
deformities was continued throughout the year under review and an increased
number of children were given orthodontic treatment without reference to specialist
orthodontists. Throughout the year the Council's four part-time orthodontists
completed 418 cases while, in addition, 649 (compared with only 229 in 1948) were
treated by the dental surgeons, and 67 cases were accepted by hospitals; a total of
1,134.
1947 1948 1949
Number of orthodontists (part-time) 2 4 4
Number of sessions 411 542 569
Total number of new cases 573 923 1,134
In the ordinary treatment centres most orthodontic cases are treated by means
of removable appliances all of which are fashioned at the Council's Central Dental
Laboratory. The increased demand on the laboratory for this highly skilled service
has offset the decreased demand for dentures consequent upon the transference of
much of the adult dentistry to the Regional Hospital Boards. As and when the
Council's dental service for mothers is developed the demand for dentures is likely
again to increase.