CHILDRENS' TEETH.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1600, 6 February 1906, Page 3

CHILDRENS' TEETH.

(Coneludeh.) Before 1 leave this part of the subject 1 should like to quote a passage to you irom an article entitled " Bad 'iceth and Disease,'' which appeared in the 'Press' of January it) last. in that article, Br. Louis ltenry, AssisJlospitaij pointed out that tiiuy phytant fhysician at the i'lince Alired sieal development of the race is largely influenced by the condition of the leeth. " The mouth," says l)r. Henry, " forms a most prolific culture-bed for all Kinds of bacteria, and the person suiiering from dental decuy is constantly swallowing injurious germs of various kinds.' Dr. Henry made observations on six hundred patients in twelve months, and cases comprising various forms of gastric and intestinal disturbances, rheumatism, anaemia, bronchial and pulmonary affections, enlarged glands, adenoids, disturbances of eye and ear, throat inflammations, and neurosis. He found that over 80 per cent, of these were associated with dental decay in advanced stages. Two typical cases are those of a boy and business man, both of whom had bad teeth. The boy came to the hospital on crutches, but three weeks after his teeth were removed he walked home without crutches. The business man was in a state of rapid decline, but after his teeth were attended to be became convalescent and resumed work. Dr. Henry believes that most intants are born healthy, and that, as a rule, the decay of teeth and illhealth are due to improper feeding. The belief in the lime-water as a boneformer is a popular error, because the; lime required in the food does not come from the water, but from the solid particles of the food consumed, and the lime in water lias no influence on the process of animal nutrition. The use of white bread should be discouraged, especially in the case of children, and a bread made of Hour containing all its natural ingredients substituted. Dr. Henry pleads for the periodical inspection of the teeth of State school children.

There is no reason to suppose that the teeth of colonial children are ill a better ,statu than those of the children of Germany, England, and America, and dental statistics gathered in these last three countries show an alarming state of affairs. Over 40 per cent, of the teeth examined in children attending school in Germany were very bad. In England 75 per cent, of the children examined had bad teeth. In the United, States 95 per cent, of the children of the poorer classes had carious teeth, and in the hospitals of New York it is stated that the diseases of the digestive organs which come from decayed teeth far outnumber those from all other causes put together. What remedies, then, for this curse of civilisation ought we, as an Association, to advocate unceasingly ? f think there are two. In the first place, instruction to parents and children in the principles of hygiene and the importance of devoting the utmost care to the preservation of the teeth is very desirable. Yet, gentlemen, however much you may instil the principles of hygiene into the minds of the young, you will never by that method alone cope successfully with that dreadful evil. Again, speaking with Dr. Jensen, 1 say that the instruction of children in the school, and the treatment of their teeth in dental surgeries, form the only weapon by which this world-wide evil can lie combated. "If the mouths of children in public schools- could be examined by competent dentists, carious or diseased teeth filled or extracted. and instruction given or enforced with regard to the intelligent use of brushes and antiseptics, the death-rate of this country would lbe materially lessened," said an American doctor recently ; " the percentage of illness must be reduced, and a strong and more vigorous race result. Every authority f have been Sible to ex "inline says the same thing. Every one of them advocate's frequent and compulsory examination of the mouths of children. Every one of them says »ut such a measure, and such a raea>■o alone, is calculated to improve e teeth of the community, because i that means alone can the process decay in the mouths of the rising generation be eventually stemmed. Tn fine, by that means alone can you ensure the physical and moral health of your descendants, and, therefore, the survival of the human race in a noble instead of a degraded position in Nature. What is required seems to me to have been well summarised by Mr Sydney Spokes, as follows : ' (1) That children should receive instruction as to the importance of sound teeth and the necessity of taking care of them. " (2) That in all Poor Law schools dental treatment shouldi be compulsory. • ''('!) That in Hoard schools it should be at first optional, and later

| on, obligatory. " (4) That in public and private boarding schools there should be public inspection on arrival, with reports to parents when necessary. " (5) That for all Scholars the use of the tooth-brush at the least alter the lust meal of the day should be enforced."

The classilication of schools in this enumeration is, of course, the English one, but, mutatis mutandis, the suggestions are applicable to our own educational system. To these suggestions, 1 will add one other. In every hospital a thorough inspection of the teeth of inmates should be made, inasmuch as not infrequently dental lesions will be found to be at the bottom of their trouble.

Finally, 1 have no hesitation in saying that when the public has learnt to pay proper attention to the teeth, one of the greatest sanitary reforms the world has ever witnessed will have been accomplished. Contagion and disease resulting fron an insanitary and infectious condition of the mouth are a thousand times more dangerous than when arising from other causes, because infection of the mouth is to be found wherever humanity dwells. When amongst the other measures possessed by the community for the promotion of its welfare, one shall take its place for the compulsory dental supervision of children, I venture to predict that the public health will be much improved and the happiness of the people greatly increased. Gentlemen, there, remains but little for me to add. From what I. have

id, and after hearing the authorities I have quoted, I think you will agree with me that it is urgently necessary that immediate steps should be taken either by the State or by the Education Boards of the colony, acting under the instructions of the State, for the examination and treatment of school children. I say, with a European writer on the subject, " Give me the children of this country, and _ I will annihilate the dental extracting parlor, rob quackery ol its victims, win the eternal gratitude of the dental faculty, and place the dental profession on the highest pinnacle of public favor." The only question is, How is this to be done ? We cannot go to the Government, saying to them, " See to it that the teeth of our children an? examined quarterly, and treated whenever treatment is necessary, or we will turn you out of office." But at least the Association can bring the force of argument to bear on the Ministry, and 1 believe when they understand the state of things which exist in our public schools, and the ruin which is being wrought through the absence of proper supervision and inspection, the Government will be willing to take the requisite steps to bring about a reform. It is not for us to suggest, I take it, whether the Government should hand this matter over to the Education Boards to attend to, or deal with it directly themselves by appointing their own dentists. Our duty ends when we have pointed out what is required, and have urged that the, necessary steps should be taken.

I have much pleasure in moving—- " That a deputation from this Association wait on the Minister \pf Education with the object of urging him to assist us by providing means for the inspection of the teeth of the children of the State schools."