Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Camden]
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DENTAL SERVICES
FLUORIDATION
On 1 December 1965, the Health Committee discussed at length the question of fluoridation
of the public water supply, and the Committee recommended to the Council that fluoridation be
adopted. However, fluoridation can only be introduced when all local authorities served by the
Metropolitan Water Board declare themselves in favour. In view of the positive stand which the
present Minister of Health as well as his predecessors have taken on this issue, it is to be hoped
that fluoridation will be introduced nationally through Act of Parliament.
Mr. G.P. Mailer, Chief Dental Officer, reports as follows:-
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE
Dental services for nursing and expectant mothers and for children under 5 years of age,
are provided under Section 22 of the National Health Service Act, 1946. 10 per cent, of the total
dental services of the Council are provided for maternity and child welfare - 90 per cent, being
provided for school children under the Education Act, 1944.
The Chief Dental Officer, Mr. G.P. Mailer, was appointed in November 1965 and began a
review of the Council's services. Maternity and child welfare dental services were carried out at
five sessions held in two child welfare centres.
The statistics below show the dental work done as part of the maternity and child welfare
service during the period from 1 April to 31 December 1965.
Number of sessions - 194.
Type of work | Nursing and expectant mothers | Children under 5 |
---|---|---|
Inspections | 81 | 113 |
Commenced treatment | 65 | 85 |
Completed treatment | 45 | 54 |
Fillings | 175 | 279 |
Number of teeth treated with silver nitrate | - | 376 |
Extractions | 10 | 7 |
Dentures fitted | 3 | - |
Number X-rayed | 19 | 2 |
Number of scalings and gum treatment | 66 | - |