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for this age group rose, whilst the total of teeth extracted was below that for 1970. This is ari
encouraging sign which I hope will continue.
The dental laboratory has provided an increased number of ear moulds for the deaf
children at Hawkswood School. Our technician is also pioneering a technique using denture
soft lining material for part of the mould. This has, in some cases, proved far more satisfactory
than the all plastic appliance which is normally used.
The part of the service which gives most cause for concern is that of school
inspections. The number of children inspected at school fell from 13836 in 1970 to 10239 in
1971. This means that only 28% of the school population was inspected. As one of the primary
functions of the local authority dental service is the carrying out of yearly school inspections
we must make every effort to improve on this in 1972.
However, I feel that we can expect little improvement in the service we offer unless
more dental officers can be recruited. Staffing must therefore be a high priority for next year
and I hope that our programme of improvement in premises and equipment will be of help in
this.
Clean Air Act
I 956. Smoke
Control Areas
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Mr.Richards, Chief Public Health Inspector writes:-
During the year the Council decided to re-commence smoke control work, which had
been temporarily suspended during the past 2 years due to financial circumstances and
shortage of sol id smokeless fuel. The Council authorised that Smoke Control Area No. 16
shall become operative on 1st June next year. During the present year a large number of
necessary fireplace conversions were carried out to comply with the Order. When this area
comes into operation the whole of the old Borough of Walthamstow will be covered by smoke
control areas.
The Department continues to co-operate with the Ministry of Technology in a national
survey of air pollution, concentrations of smoke are measured by apparatus installed at sites
within the Borough.
A number of applications for approval in respect of new furnace installations in
factories and other premises were received. These were approved with or without modification
as necessary.
Offices, Shops &
Railway Premises
Act. 1963
It was found necessary to reduce the number of inspections carried out during the year
under this Act, due to the shortage of staff. Despite this a reasonable standard has been
maintained in this type of premises. This Act contains no provisions for the service of a
notice on the owner or occupier of premises where a contravention is found. The only
official remedy where an offence is found is for the Council to prosecute the offender. This
is contrary to normal public health practice and would undoubtedly be condemned as high
handed. In this Borough where an offence is found, the responsible person is informed in
writing and given an opportunity to remedy the offence. This method has been found to work
very well and the contraventions are usually quickly remedied, it has also reduced the
number of prosecutions in the Courts.
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