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
Leyton 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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111
A certain amount of preventive treatment has been carried
out by the application of sodium fluoride solution to sound teeth.
There is a divergence of opinion among dental surgeons as to the
value of this treatment; but there is much evidence that, while
it cannot be said to prevent dental decay when established, it does
appear to delay its onset.
Mr. Shamash, L.D.S., has attended Park House Clinic two
sessions per week to carry out orthodontic treatment for the most
urgent cases. This is a service which is very much sought after,
and greatly appreciated by parents and children; but it cannot,
with the present limited facilities, be developed to the full.
As no provision is made in Table IV for details of orthodontic work, the following statistical information is submitted:—
| Impressions taken | 225 |
| Study models made | 225 |
| New appliances fitted | 66 |
| Attendances made for treatment | 572 |
| Advice to parents and adjustments to appliances | 570 |
| X-rays | 17 |
| Finished cases | 5 |
| Other items of dentistry carried out for which no headings are provided in Table IV are as follows:— | |
| Denture space retainers supplied | 28 |
| Denture space retainers repaired | 1 |
| X-ray films | 46 |
| Local anaesthetics | 1,238 |
| Application of silver nitrate | 1,641 |
| Pivot crowns fitted | 2 |
| Fraenectomy | 1 |
| Scalings | 238 |
Table IV shows that there has been an increase in the amount
of work done during the year, although the number of children
inspected is smaller.
The apparent anomaly, whereby the number of children
found to require treatment is greater than the number inspected,
,is dub to a carry-over from the previous year.