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
Ealing 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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42
Dental Defects.—The following Table classifies Dental
Defects found at the Routine Medical Inspection.
Dental Inspection.
| Entrants | Age 8 Group. | Leavers | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All teeth sound : | ||||
| No. of Children | 417 | 386 | 725 | 1,528 |
| Percentage | 55.2 | 52.5 | 80.5 | 63.9 |
| Less than 4 teeth decayed : | ||||
| No. of Children | 278 | 307 | 166 | 751 |
| Percentage | 36.8 | 41.7 | 18.4 | 31.4 |
| More than 4 teeth decayed : | ||||
| No. of Children | 60 | 42 | 9 | 111 |
| Percentage | 8. | 5.8 | 1.1 | 4.7 |
It will be seen that in the 8 years age-group no less than
47.5 per cent, of children had defective teeth. This is explained
by the fact that it is at this age period that the temporary teeth
are giving way to the permanent dentition ; and it is the temporary
and not the permanent dentition that is principally affected. On
the other hand a percentage of 80.5 children with sound teeth
among the "leavers" indicates that parents and teachers are
fully alive to the importance of the early arrest of dental caries
and are taking every advantage of the facilities offered by the
School Clinic to that end.
The following Table indicates the sustained improvement
in the teeth of the school children as a result of dental treatment
and instruction in dental hygiene.