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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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Orthodontics
In the specialised field of orthodontic treatment during 1956 there was little change in
the surgeries but much effort was expended in pursuing possibilities of closer liaison with
hospital and dental teaching authorities with a view to their increasing their contribution
to this work. While no very effective results were apparent in the report for the year,
hopes were raised that some progress would be made in the near future. The main
problem everywhere was the shortage of manpower and this had a particularly serious
effect upon the orthodontic service with its demand for more advanced techniques.
Table IV shows improvement in total numbers accepted for orthodontic treatment.
Table IV
| 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of special orthodontic sessions | 134 | 185 | 290 |
| Number accepted at special orthodontic sessions | 98 | 195 | 252 |
| Number accepted at routine sessions | 389 | 432 | 427 |
| Number referred to hospitals | 127 | 59 | 182 |
| Total number of patients accepted | 614 | 686 | 861 |
Maternity and child welfare dental service
Statistical figures in Table V for this service show only relatively slight fluctuations for
1956. Any drive to increase the service results, in present circumstances, in a corresponding
reduction in the school service and policy for a further year was to maintain
the service already given : approximately 10 per cent, of the total dental effort. All
patients recommended and responding were dealt with but no systematic dental
inspection and advice were attempted.
Table V
| 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of sessions | 3,033 | 3,220 | 3,169 |
| Number of appointments offered | 33,797 | 35,854 | 36,711 |
| Attendances—by appointment | 24,692 | 26,430 | 27,640 |
| —other | 1,873 | 1,526 | 1,799 |
| Silver nitrate treatment | 4,433 | 5,058 | 4,716 |
| Fillings | 12,312 | 13,212 | 13,465 |
| Extractions | 10,157 | 9,177 | 9,561 |
| Dentures supplied—new full | 461 | 572 | 538 |
| —new partial | 646 | 686 | 778 |
| Number made dentally fit | 6,802 | 7,117 | 7,492 |
Dental service in hoarding schools and residential establishments
Visiting dental officers or local practitioners, under a variety of contracts, continued
to deal with the dental needs of children in the Council's care or at boarding schools,
but at some establishments the problems of escort and transport remained very
troublesome.