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
Willesden 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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58
It has not been possible to include the whole school population in the routine inspection at
school during the year. The two dental surgeons at Health Centre 3 commenced duties in April and
June respectively, so that the full benefit of that Centre has not been felt. With the complete staff
working the full year this omission is not likely to again occur and all public elementary school
children in Willesden will have the opportunity of having their teeth inspected once a year, with the
option of treatment of any defects at the Centres.
Out of a total of approximately 21,082 elementary school children 15,466 were subject to routine
inspection at the schools and 1,686 casual cases were inspected by the dentists at the Health Centres
making a total of 17,152 for the year. Of this number 14,009 were found to have defective teeth
and were referred for treatment. 4,192 received their treatment at the Centres. The work done
satisfactorily to treat these 4,192 children included 5,300 fillings of which 4,535 were restoration to
the permanent teeth and 765 to the temporary. 10,327 temporary and 1,349 permanent teeth were
extracted, for which purpose general anaesthetics were administered on 2,515 occasions and local on 723.
In addition 1,495 other operations were performed. The attendances made by children for treatment
amounted to 9,191 and the number of half-day treatment sessions devoted to the work was 1,347.
The following Table No. 41 is a summary of the year s work:—
Table No. 41.
| Group IV. | Dental Defects. |
|---|---|
| (1) Number of children who were:— | |
| Aged:— | |
| 5 | 852 |
| 6 | 1,675 |
| 7 | 1,855 |
| 8 | 1,841 |
| 9 | 1,841 |
| 10 | 2,326 |
| 11 | 1,557 |
| 12 | 1,235 |
| 13 | 1,152 |
| 14 | 1,128 |
| 15 | 4 |
| 16 | — |
| Total | 15,466 |
| Special (see note (d)) | 1,686 |
| Grand Total | 17,152 |
(b) Found to require treatment 14,009
(c) Actually treated at the Authority's Health Centres 4,192
(d) Re-treated during the year as the result of periodical
examination 1,155
Note: (d) is included in (c).
(2) Half days devoted to Inspection 357 Total 1,704
Treatment 1,347 J
(3) Attendances made by the children for Treatment 9,191
(4) Fillings Permanent teeth 4,535 Total 5,300
Temporary teeth 765
(5) ExtractionsPermanent teeth 1,349 Total 11,676
Temporary teeth 10,327
(6) Administration of general anaesthetics—
for extractions 2,515 Total 3,238
Local 723 J
(7) Other operations Permanent teeth 972 Total 1,495
Temporary teeth 523
284 sessions have been devoted to Maternity and Child Welfan