LUXURY AND DENTAL DECAY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 March 1927, Page 7

LUXURY AND DENTAL DECAY.

STUPID DIETETIC HABITS CONDEMNED AUCKLAND, Last Night. While the condition of teeth 0/ children in New Zealand must compare favourably with that of children of other countries it is rather alarming to discover that in the primary 1 schools of the Dominion it is estimated that 99 per cent, of the pupils are affected by dental decay.

Physical fitness is of paramount importance to a successful educational system and realising this fact the Health Department ha s attacked "the luxury decay" problem in a manner that is meeting with the approval of not only the community at large but of those pursuing the profession of dental surgery as well. The fact that the scheme is now beyond the experimental stage was commented upon by Mr. T. A. Hunter, Director of Dental Services, in the course of an interview to-day. From a small beginning the service has developed rapidly along approved lines and to-day there are 46 clinics in commission in various parts of the Dominion, these engaging the attention of F>s operators. Over 33,000 children are being trea/ted or arc under treatment in this manner and over half a million operations have been performed by dental nurses who first made their appearance in 1923. Prior to this surgeons carried out a limited number of operations, but of course their efforts were practically negligible, when it is considered the largo number of children requiring attention. "Wherever clinics are in operation." explained Mr. Hunter, "they are meeting with great success and School Committees, Education Boards and parents aliko have expressed their satisfaction at the system and desire that facilities be extended. **Whero treatment has been carried out in schools medical officers report that tho health of children has improved correspondingly to a marked degree. Over 95 per cent, of children have been found to be suffering from dental diseases and this increase is attributed to our stupid diet ana" dietetic habits. Ono of the most important departures of dental clinic operations therefore is that in respect to educating both parents and children to adopt proper diets for tho prevention of diseases of the teeth." Mr. Hunter wan reluctant to touch upon the policy, of tho Department for tho future; but ho indicated that it was hoped steadily to extend the system.