Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, JULY 21, 1913. STATE DENTISTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9549, 21 July 1913, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. MONDAY, JULY 21, 1913. STATE DENTISTRY.

Thh close relationship between dental conditions and general physical health is so well-known that it is not surprising to find a movement towards Stat© dentistry making progress in New Zealand. The statistics of examinations made by medical in6i>ector9 in the public schools reveal a really deplorable state of things. Generally speaking it was found that over 90 per cent of the children who had not received dental attention had mouths in a septic, and therefore dangerous, condition. Slowly but surely this carelessness in an important matter is affecting the strength and vitality of the present and future generations. The remarkable effects of dental cleanliness are strikingly apparent in some results obtained from a Boston institution where there were 850 poor children in residence. In this school, after all the mouths were put into a clean condition and kept clean, infectious diseases wore reduced from 103 cases in 1007-1908 to two cases in 1911-1912. As a general thing it may be affirmed that children with good teeth make better progress with their studies, enjoy better health, and lay the foundations of a stronger physique than those whose neglected teeth are a constant menace to their health. In Auckland the Dental Association has led the way in an active campaign against juvenile dental troubles. For nearly eighteen months, in conjunction with the Hospital Board, an inspection has l>een made of children's teeth. During that time 4000 pupils have been examined. In one school of 800 not more than 50 pupils had over consulted a dentist except for the purpese of having an aching tooth extracted. It was found that no knowledge was displayed of how to keep the mouth clean and no idea of the necessity of it. Jls a result of the work done the Auckland dentists have been able to bring

the teeth of the children hack to * normal state and have given instructions as to how to keep tne mouths clean. they have also urged upon the children the necessity of regular attendance at tho hospital, so that the work done shall be properly looked after, and further decay kept in check. Many of the teachers at the schools have gladly testified as to the good work done. One stipendiary and twenty-nine honorary dentists are engaged in the inspection. Each of the honorary dentists gives a morning in each week throughout the year to his self-imposed task, and a dental hospital properly equipped had had over 2000 juvenile patients through it already. Within a few months of receiving attention the scholars axe reported to show a wonderful improvement.

This good work is reaching such proportions that it will soon be beyond the scope of voluntary effort. The President of the New Zealand Dental Conference says that from an auministrative point of view the only solution of the problem is to establish a system of State dentistry for the use of the! pupils of primary schools of all denominations. In a small, compact, and easily-controlled country like New Zealand, w :h its system of central Government md a people untrammelled by unprogressive thought, he thinks a scheme of universal State dentistry should be easily applicable. This scheme would include the appointment of about forty State dentists. In addition to their salaries there would have to be considered the initial cost of setting up clinical rooms in the various centres, and also the current expenses for attendants, material, etc. The cost per annum would be about £20,000. The whole thing thus comes again to the question of finance and is thus a matter for the Government to deal with. A country, however, that can afford to spend hundreds of tliousaiida of pounds upon a defence scheme against problematical foreign invaders, ought to be able to find the comparatively small sum necessary for piotection against a very real and definite enemy that is already within our gates. A movement in the desired direction is being initiated and it has very strong claims upon a paternal State.