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
Barking 1912
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
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48
It is of interest to note that the disturbed trade conditions
of the year had little, if any, effect on the way the children
were shod. On the whole the improvement has been continuous.
Teeth.
Compared with the standard for the country generally
the teeth of the children of the district are above the average,
though there is much room for improvement.
Unfortunately the decay is by no means wholly or even
mainly attributable to want of cleanliness or even unsuitable
food. The question is an important one, and much more information
than is at present known is desirable.
For the past year the figures are as follows:—
| Boys. All age periods. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Teeth sound. | 3 and 4 bad. | Over 4 bad. |
| 57.03 per cent. | 34.34 per cent. | 8.63 per cent. |
| Girls All age periods. | ||
| Teeth sound. | 3 and 4 bad. | Over 4 bad. |
| 60.71 per cent. | 31.58 per cent. | 7.71 per cent. |
Considering the previous years and taking entrants and leavers separately on a basis of three or more decayed, we have:—
| Infants. | Boys. | Girls. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | 33.9 | 58.0 | 58.8 |
| 1909 | 20.9 | 35.3 | 53.6 |
| 1910 | 31.1 | 62.0 | 50.5 |
| 1911 | 29.0 | 38.8 | 40.6 |
| 1912 | 29.7 | 43.4 | 49.8 |
These figures, though variable, certainly seem to indicate
an improvement, and suggest that the employment of a dentist
should be followed by beneficial results.