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7
Dental Clinics
Dr. J. Lusztig-Martlne, Principal School Dental Officer, submits the
following report on the work of the School Dental Service in 1960:-
"The general working of the dental clinics shows improvement in most
aspects in comparison with 1959.
From the statistics it can been seen that practically every child is
seen at least once a year; that the number of extractions is static - perhaps
decreasing; and that the number of fillings, both permanent and temporary,
increased considerably. The waiting list at the Manor Park Clinic is shortening,
gradually, and at the Annexe it is reduced to a few days. In urgent cases
there is no waiting at all. There is no appreciable increase in the number of
orthodontic cases.
The staff in 1960 consisted of one full time dental officer and three
part time, and much of the improvement is due to the purchase of an air-rotor
dental drill for use at the Manor Park Clinic.
From my own observation I would say:-
(i) That the age group 3-6 years has far better teeth than the national
average.
(ii) That the greatest number of refusals of treatment occurs in the 7 - 9
year age group.
(ill) That the largest number of acceptances and completion of treatment is
in the 10-15 year group."
Immunisation
The need for the maintenance of a high level of immunisation in our
population is apparent when it is realised that there have been several outbreaks
of diphtheria in the London Area, during the last two years. The
majority of cases were amongst those children who had not received the protection
of immunisation. It is pleasing to report that there have been no
cases of this disease in East Ham and that 94.2 per cent. of children of
school age have been immunised.
Immunisation clinics for children of all ages are held weekly both at
the Town Hall Annexe and at Church Road Clinic, and immunisation is also
carried out during Minor Aliment Clinics at North Woolwich and Roman Manor.
The work of the clinics is shown in the following summary:-
Number of clinic sessions 48
Number of children completely immunised 595
Number of children re-inoculated 594
Percentage of children of school age completely immunised 94.2
43.8% of all children of school age have had a primary immunisation
or a boosting dose since 1st January, 1956 i.e. within the last 5 years.
Orthopaedic Clinic
It is with regret I report that in October 1960 ill-health forced
Mr. Leon Gillis M.B.E., F.R.C.S. to relinquish charge of the orthopaedic
clinic which was started under his guidance in 1954.
Mr. Whitchurch Howell F.R.C.S. has now taken over the conduct of this
clinic.
The early treatment of minor orthopaedic defects of childhood is of
paramount importance in the prevention of chronic crippling disease of joint
and bone in later life.
24 sessions were held and 156 children made 195 attendances, Of the
286 defects listed below by far the majority were defects of the lower limbs
and were of a nature to be helped by remedial exercises.