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 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond upon Thames]
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SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE.
Report of the Principal School Dental Officer, Mr. G. H. Tucker, L.D.S., R.C.S.
In 1972 there was only one change in the dental staff. Mr. I. Shrimpton replaced
as a dental apprentice Mr. M. Perry who completed his apprenticeship in March.
During the year 145 sessions were devoted to the dental inspection of the mouths
of 13,012 children in schools, and a further 2,967 were inspected for the first time in the
year at clinics. A total of 6,580 children were found to require treatment after inspection
and all were offered treatment except those already attending their own practitioner.
The number offered treatment was 6,063, and of these 4,021 accepted it. The number
of sessions devoted to treatment was 1,800 and details of treatment are shown below
arranged in age groups. 1,964 pupils were re-inspected at clinics and 1,307 of them were
found to require treatment.
Table XXI.
| Age 5—9. | Age 10—14. | Age 15+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First visit to clinic | 1866 | 1726 | 373 |
| Subsequent visits | 2664 | 3730 | 811 |
| Total visits | 4530 | 5492 | 1184 |
| Additional courses commenced | 490 | 286 | 68 |
| Fillings: Permanent teeth | 1124 | 3192 | 1014 |
| Fillings: Deciduous teeth | 3490 | 627 | — |
| Permanent teeth filled | 977 | 2855 | 917 |
| Deciduous teeth filled | 3335 | 588 | — |
| Permanent teeth extracted | 40* | 445** | 84*** |
| Deciduous teeth extracted | 951 | 357 | — |
| General anaesthetics | 441 | 257 | 24 |
| Emergencies | 308 | 192 | 43 |
| Pupils supplied with dentures | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Number of dentures supplied | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| * This figure includes 9 teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes. | |||
| ** This figure includes 3 30 teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes. | |||
| *** This figure includes 26 teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes. | |||
The next table shows a wider range of treatment but not divided into age groups
Table XXII.
| No. of pupils X-Rayed | 218 | |
| Prophylaxis | 212 | |
| Teeth otherwise conserved | 49 | |
| No. of teeth root filled | 12 | |
| Inlays or crowns fitted | 45 | |
| Courses of treatment completed | 4180 | |
| Orthodontics: | ||
| New cases pending from 1971 | 208 | |
| New cases commenced | 96 |
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 toothpaste, together with a letter encouraging parents to take an increased
interest in their child's oral hygiene.
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.
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