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
Merton 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]
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' The increase in staff for this year has brought the service to full
strength with a satisfying increase in the number of children inspected
at school.
'As will be seen from the statistics, over half of the extractions of
permanent teeth were for orthodontic purposes at the request of the
Orthodontists. The deciduous teeth extracted are again slightly down,
with some orthodontic extractions. This reflects on the fillings figures
that show in the early age group nearly a thousand more teeth saved
by conservation. There has been an increase in the number of fillings
in the two younger groups.
' Dental Health Education has been given by the Dental Auxiliary,
Dental Officers and Health Visitors, with the co-operation of the
Health Education Officer.
The statistics relating to the School Dental Service are given
below: —
Statistics for Year 1972
Number of pupils on the register of maintained Primary, Middle
and High Schools including nursery and special schools in January,
1973, as in Forms 7, 7m and 11 schools: 26,862.
| Ages 5 to 9 | Ages 10 to 14 | Ages 15 and over | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Visits | 2,500 | 2,253 | 461 | 5,214 |
| Subsequent Visits | 4,261 | 4,950 | 1,041 | 10,252 |
| Total Visits | 6,761 | 7,203 | 1,502 | 15,466 |
| Additional courses of treatment commenced | 374 | 241 | 227 | 842 |
| Fillings in permanent teeth | 2,492 | 4,927 | 1,251 | 8,670 |
| Fillings in deciduous teeth | 5,284 | 578 | — | 5,862 |
| Permanent teeth filled | 2,162 | 4,304 | 1,143 | 7,609 |
| Deciduous teeth filled | 5,171 | 548 | — | 5,719 |
| Permanent teeth extracted (emergency) | 19 | 176 | 37 | 232 |
| Permanent teeth extracted (orthodontics) | 11 | 220 | 31 | 262 |
| Deciduous teeth extracted (emergency) | 702 | 274 | — | 976 |
| Deciduous teeth extracted (orthodontics) | 23 | 65 | — | 88 |
| General anaesthetics | 213 | 86 | 12 | 311 |
| Emergencies | 395 | 159 | 29 | 583 |
Number of pupils X-rayed 832
Prophylaxis 589
Teeth otherwise conserved 46
Number of teeth root filled 76
Inlays 7
Crowns 16
Courses of treatment completed 4,876
Orthodontics.
Cases remaining from previous year 424
New cases commenced during year 142
Cases completed during year 191
Number of removable appliances fitted 289
Number of fixed appliances fitted 8
Pupils referred to Hospital Consultant 2
94