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
Croydon 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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| Action | Boys | Girls | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic | 25 | 116 | 141 |
| Current Treatment | 85 | 48 | 133 |
| Cases Transferred | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Cases Moved out of area | 1 | - | 1 |
| Cases closed - Improved | 13 | 10 | 23 |
| No Change | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Unco-operative | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 132 | 183 | 315 |
DENTAL SERVICE
On 31st October, 1968, Mr. W.G. Everett resigned to take up a post
at the Department of Education and Science. Mr. J.D. Palmer took up the
post of Principal School Dental Officer in January 1969.
I am grateful to Mr. Everett for the following report on the work of
the Service during 1968.
School Inspections
The value of such inspections is that they draw attention to dental defects and responsible parents who are thus made aware of the need for treatment obtain it for their children either within the School Dental Service or from General Dental Service practitioners.
| Results of School Inspections | 1967 | 1968. |
|---|---|---|
| School Population | 49,020 | 49,712 |
| Number inspected | 31,088 | 40,431 |
| percentage inspected | 63.4% | 81.5% |
| Number needing treatment | 12,942 | 17,884 |
| percentage needing treatment | 42% | 44.2% |
| Number requesting S.D.S. treatment | 3,805 | 5,355 |
| percentage requesting S.D.S. treatment | 28.5% | 30% |
| Number attending General Dental Practitioners | 5,725 | 7,884 |
| percentage attending General Dental Practitioners | 44% | 44% |
| Number of refusals of treatment | 3,412 | 4,645 |
| percentage of refusals of treatment | 28% | 26% |
The above percentage figures are not an entirely true picture of the
acceptance and referral rate because not all schools were inspected
during the year. However, it is encouraging to note that the number of consents
has apparently increased and that the number of refusals has
decreased.