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of a family size house becoming too difficult as they got older, The accommodation
unit consists of a bed-sitting-room, a bathroom shared with three other tenants and
a separate gas cooker in a communal kitchen. This simplified environment enables the
occupants to enjoy the longest possible period of comfortable independence.
A public health question which must be considered in the future is the fluoridation
of drinking water to reduce dental caries, Hendon has two different water
supplies, one with no fluoride and the other containing only a very small amount.
Research carried out has now proved that the incidence of dental caries is much lower
when fluoride is present in the drinking water to the extent of one part per million.
Certain American towns have used this knowledge and added fluoride to the drinking
water. The evidence from these towns after 10 years of trial now shows that there is
a 40-50% reduction in dental caries in the youngest age groups.
I wish to thank everybody for the kindly and generous welcome 1 have received.
The Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee have been most helpful and
encouraging as indeed have Members of the Council as a whole.
I would like to pay tribute to the work of my predecessor. Dr. A. Fairgrieve
Adamson, whose record of service in public health is well known. Dr. Adamson has
been a frequent visitor to the Town Hall and has given me every possible assistance
in connection with the work of the Department.
1 have received the most friendly co-operation from my fellow Chief Officers
and as I was not in office during the year to which the report relates I would
like to thank Dr. Kathleen M. Bodkin, Mr. A. H. Smith, Chief Sanitary Inspector,
Mr, C. C. Knudsen and the staff of the Department for their loyal and efficient
service.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. PATTON,
Medical Officer of Health,
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