ENG-1957 — Page 202

PUBLIC HEALTH

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on the Register, of whom only 75 were academically quali- fied. With a population in excess of 2,600,000 this is one dentist to approximately 7,000 people.

The Government Dental Scholarship scheme was institut- ed in 1954 to ensure a steady source of supply of well qualified dental surgeons for the Colony. The first student to be assisted under the scheme returned in 1957. During the year five students were sent to the University of Mel- bourne, Australia, to begin a five-year course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Dental Surgery, making a total of 19 dental scholars overseas, of whom 14 were studying in the University of Malaya.

Several dental clinics are operated by welfare organiza- tions for the poor, and many dentists give their services free of charge. The Hong Kong Dental Society organizes evening clinics at the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society's Centres in Hong Kong and Kowloon and at the Hong Kong Anti-Tuberculosis Society's Ruttonjee Sanatorium. Dentists are also included in the St. John Ambulance Brigade Penetration Parties which visit remote areas in the New

Territories.

URBAN SERVICES

The Urban Council, the constitution of which is described in Chapter 25, has statutory, responsibility in a number of` matters normally falling within the scope of municipal administration, including bathing beaches, swimming pools, cemeteries, crematoria, mortuaries, the collection and dis- posal of refuse and nightsoil, the inspection and health control of domestic premises and food establishments, food hygiene and sampling, markets, hawkers, parks and play- grounds, pest control, public latrines and bathhouses, and slaughterhouses. The Council is empowered by the Public Health (Sanitation) and Public Health (Food) Ordinances, and other enactments to make by-laws for the regulation and control of these matters, such subsidiary legislation being subject to the approval of the Legislative Council.