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 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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Table (iv) shows this increase in sessions and numbers referred, but unfortunately an
even greater fall in numbers treated by staff generally at routine sessions. Correction of
malocclusions is a time-consuming form of dental treatment requiring the application of
special knowledge and skill and is therefore difficult to develop to meet all requirements.
My thanks are expressed to the four hospitals which assist the Council in this work (St.
Alfege's, King's College, Royal Dental and the Eastman Dental) and it is gratifying to
note some increase in their acceptance figures for the year.
Maternity and child welfare dental service
Dental services in boarding schools and residential establishments
As might be expected, there was little change in the maternity and child welfare dental
service (table (v)) and the services provided at boarding schools and residential establishments.
All requests for treatment were met, however, in the former service and in the latter
some improvement was made at several establishments for more regular and systematic
dental attention than in the previous year.
Table (v)—
| 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of sessions | 3,135 | 2,764 | 2,592 | 2,300 | 1,908 |
| Number of appointments offered | 34,740 | 30,456 | 27,368 | 23,864 | 19,158 |
| Attendances—by appointment | 24,691 | 21,995 | 19,651 | 16,500 | 12,958 |
| —other | 1,539 | 1,122 | 1,060 | 894 | 553 |
| Silver nitrate treatment | 5,065 | 4,415 | 5,858 | 5,718 | 4,141 |
| Fillings | 11,491 | 10,031 | 8,716 | 7,399 | 5,976 |
| Extractions | 5,873 | 5,114 | 4,513 | 3,624 | 2,619 |
| Dentures supplied—new full | 422 | 380 | 351 | 327 | 151 |
| —new partial | 685 | 649 | 468 | 485 | 240 |
| Number made dentally fit | 5,014 | 4,784 | 4,165 | 3,255 | 2,507 |
Table (vi)—
| Total | Nursing or expectant mothers | Children (under 5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of sessions | 1,908 | — | — |
| Number of appointments | 19,158 | 11,075 | 8,083 |
| Attendances—by appointment | 12,958 | 7,152 | 5,806 |
| —other | 553 | 185 | 368 |
| Silver nitrate treatment | 4,441 | 753 | 3,388 |
| Fillings | 5,976 | 3,237 | 2,739 |
| Extractions | 2,619 | 1,669 | 950 |
| Dentures supplied—new full | 151 | 151 | — |
| —new partial | 240 | 240 | — |
| Number made dentally fit | 2,507 | 883 | 1,624 |
Dental auxiliary experiment
In 1962 the first batch of two-year trained dental auxiliaries were passed out by the
General Dental Council training school at Deptford and five—of six originally contracted
for—took up duty with the Council in September. The auxiliaries were posted to appropriate
twin-surgery treatment centres under the direct control and supervision of full-time
dental officers. The scope of treatment permitted by law to be given by dental auxiliaries
is restricted and there was difficulty in selecting requisite numbers of suitable patients to
keep the new type of surgery staff fully occupied. Towards the end of the year it was evident
that of the 25,000 school children allocated in 1961 for inspection and treatment by the
staff and pupils of the Deptford training school, many had not received attention. These
matters and many other details relating to this experiment were under active consideration
at the end of the year.
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