SOLDIERS' TEETH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3193, 18 September 1917, Page 4

SOLDIERS' TEETH

A REPORT TO PARLIAMENT.

A report rolating to the dental treatment given to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in the training camps was presented to the House ot Representatives last night by the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen). "The large amount of dental treat-, raent required to fit members of the Expeditionary Force for active service has come as a surprise even to the members of the dental profession," says tho report. "It is evident that something must bo done to attract public attention to tho imperative need for early dental treatment (that is, during childhood), to prevent the great havoc that is taking place through dental diseases. It .cannot b e 100 strongly urged how essential it is to good health to have a clean and efficient set of teeth; this is especially necessary in the case of the soldiers on active service, particularly when it is remembered that upon exposure to cold and damp or exhaustion a soldier Willi even slightly decayed teeth is develop acute and distressing symptoms.. "The congregating together of a largo body of men with various teeth and unwholesome mouths as carriers (.{disease is a source of grave danger, particularly in relation to epidemics, such as measles and influenza. These two diseases Mone accounted for no fewer than 7799 admissions to fte camp hospitals during n period of twelve months, and infection being conveyed by the breath it will bo seen that a clean mouth is more than evei necessary if these ailments aio going to be successfully combated. "Tho following figures show the details of treatment given to 27,0(55 soldiers who embarked for tho front during thei year:"10,293 dentures were fitted for /330 men, who were thus rendered at for active service abroad. "A total number of 69,67+ fillings were inserted in teeth of varying degree of decay, thus obviating the need of many dentures, and ensuring comfort and efficient mastification. "9016 teeth had decayed to such an extent as to necessitate the removal of the pulp (nerve) and the insertion of root fillings. If" this had not been done these teeth would have become septic in the course of a, comparatively short time, and then wonld have been a great menace, as a wound in tho face,_ which is common in trench warfare, might result in general septic poisoning. "35,503 useless and septic teeth .were extracted which, if left in, would have meant continual absorption of pus into the system. "55,322 sundry operations were performed, consisting of root dressings, scatings, dressings for relieving pain, crowns, attendances for dentures, and special cases. "In all 4720 men were enabfed to proceed to tho front who could not otherwise have gone owing to lack of dentures, and 4500 owing to diseased teeth, totalling in all 9220 men, which is practically S3 1-3 per cent, of tho Expeditionary Force that embarked during the year. "It 'will thus be seen that the New Zealand Dental Corps has rendered very valuable service in dentally equipping soldiers prior to embarkation. Great credit is due to the officers, non-commis-sioned officers, and men of the Dental Corps for tho skill and energy they have displayed in iwliieving such splendid results."