POOR TEETH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1937, Page 7

POOR TEETH.

WORLD RECORD.

NEW ZEALAND'S "TITLE."

COHDOOTED TO' FORCEPS.

The blame for the notoriously bad teeth of New Zealanders falls in part upon the medical and dental professions—the medical for ordering the extraction of teeth a« a panacea for all ills they are unable to diagnose; th« dental for extracting many teeth that might be conserved without detriment to the patient's health.

This is the view of Miss Mary McLachlan. of the dental department of the Cliristchurch Hospital, who has returned to her duties after nine months in England a:i«l on the Continent. Sh® attended the British Empire Dental Conference in London and the International Deutal Conference in Vienna, as well as travelling in Germany and Russia observing dental methods, reports the **Stai -Sun."

"I think it is a crying shame that thi* young country, which boasts of its sunshine, fresh air and primary produce, should still hold a world's record for bad teeth,*' said Mies McLachlan. "After visiting many countries in Europe and noting the teeth of the people generally, as wtli as attending some dental instiitntions, I am more than ever convinced that Xew Zealand requires intense and continual education in matters of health. Many people," she said, "do not value the pearls in their mouths as much a* those, real or artificial, which thev wear round their necks. The good teeth are here, but they are lost through neglect, carelessness or ignorance. Though our Stale dental nurses are doing excellent work in conservative treatment. I feel that much educational work should be undertaken. England and Europe still tpnd to conserve teeth that in Xew Zealand are condemned to the forceps." Miss McLachlan said that the standard on which the need for extraction was oased had fallen in recent vears. It was to be hoped that, with the recent Act establishing a dental council, onesided propaganda in favour of extraction would be controlled. But more wad wanted —positive propaganda. *