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
Richmond upon Thames 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
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As in previous years all entrants to infant schools at the time of their first dental
inspection were presented with a dental hygiene kit, consisting of a bathroom beaker,
toothbrush and toohpaste, together with a letter encouraging parents to take an increased
interest in their child's oral hygiene. Perhaps as a result of the encouragement given by
these kits and the equivalence of 16 sessions devoted to Dental Health Education there
have been marked increases in the number of attendances and the amount of treatment
for children in the 5-9 year old group over the past four years.
Table XXIV.
| 5-9 Age Group | 1968. | 1971. | Change. |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of children at school | 9402 | 9943 | + 5.75% |
| No. of attendances | 3771 | 4588 | + 21.5% |
| No. of teeth filled | 2542 | 4111 | + 61% |
| No. of teeth extracted | 935 | 1143 | + 22% |
| No. of emergencies | 385 | 331 | - 16% |
Five clinics in the Borough have sessions devoted to general anaesthetics at regular
intervals. One consultant and one appropriately qualified anaesthetist are employed
on a sessional basis.
The orthodontic surgeon at Church Road Clinic treated 207 patients with 320
removable and 51 fixed appliances.
Treatment was completed for 19 children, but 9 courses of treatment were discontinued
by reason of non-attendance of the patient.
The dental laboratory which has a staff of one chief technician, 5 technicians and 2
a pprentices, supplies the needs not only of this Borough, but also of the London Boroughs
of Brent, Ealing, Harrow, and Hounslow. The output of the laboratory, slightly increased
from previous years, except that the number of dentures made continues to decrease, was
as follows:—
Table XXV.
| Dentures | Ortho. appliances | Inlays and Crowns | Misc. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 134 | 1901 | 114 | 994 |
NUTRITION.
Meals.
The number or children receiving mid-day dinners at maintained schools on a selected date in 1971 was as follows:—
| Date: | Number of dinners | Number of children in School | % of children having dinner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.10.71 | *13,368 | 20,029 | 66 (approx.) |
*In addition, approximately 1,600 meals per day to Teaching, Kitchen and Cooking staff.
Milk.
The number of pupils present and number taking milk under the Milk-in-Schools Scheme on the 6th October, 1971 was as follows:—
| At maintained primary and secondary schools: | Present. | Taking Milk. |
|---|---|---|
| A. Entitled to free milk on age grounds (pupils are entitled to free milk up to the end of the Summer Term after they reach the age of 7) | 5070 | 4863 |