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 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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In the specific field of orthodontics, there was little numerical change (table (iv)) but
field observations would indicate that at least the number of gross malocclusions is falling.
Dental officers at routine sessions continued to undertake orthodontic treatments and were
very ably assisted by the technical staff at the Central Dental Laboratory. Cases of advanced
complexity were referred to certain hospitals in accordance with pre.arranged acceptance
figures and my thanks are again expressed to the staff at St. Alfege's, King's College,
Royal Dental and the Eastman Dental hospitals.
Maternity and child welfare dental service
Dental services in boarding schools and residential establishments
In maternity and child welfare dental work (table (v)) and in dental services at residential
establishments, there was little change during the year.
Table (v)—
| Number of sessions | 2,764 | 2,592 | 2,300 | 1,908 | 1,838 |
| Number of appointments offered | 30,456 | 27,368 | 23,864 | 19,158 | 17,728 |
| Attendances—by appointment | 21,995 | 19,651 | 16,500 | 12,958 | 11,893 |
| —other | 1,122 | 1,060 | 894 | 553 | 422 |
| Silver nitrate treatment | 4,415 | 5,858 | 5,718 | 4,141 | 4,206 |
| Fillings | 10,031 | 8,716 | 7,399 | 5,976 | 5,411 |
| Extractions | 5,114 | 4,513 | 3,624 | 2,619 | 1,588 |
| Dentures supplied—new full | 380 | 351 | 327 | 151 | 91 |
| —new partial | 649 | 468 | 485 | 240 | 231 |
| Number made dentally fit | 4,784 | 4,165 | 3,255 | 2,507 | 2,234 |
T able (vi)—
| Total | Nursing or expectant mothers | Children (under 5) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of sessions | 1,838 | - | - |
| Number of appointments | 17,728 | 9,321 | 8,407 |
| Attendances—by appointment | 11,893 | 5,954 | 5,939 |
| —other | 422 | 140 | 282 |
| Silver nitrate treatment | 4,206 | 925 | 3,281 |
| Fillings | 5,411 | 2,799 | 2,612 |
| Extractions | 1,588 | 1,104 | 484 |
| Dentures supplied—new full | 91 | 91 | — |
| —new partial | 231 | 231 | — |
| Number made dentally fit | 2,234 | 763 | 1,471 |
Dental auxiliary experiment
As a result of resignations towards the end of the year only two dental auxiliaries remained
of the five appointed for experimental purposes in 1962. The general result in all
five surgeries was not very encouraging. There was difficulty in finding permissible work
for the auxiliaries and both tempo and productivity were revealed as about one patient an
hour and one filling an hour. The experiment continues.
92