DENTAL PROBLEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19976, 19 June 1928, Page 10

DENTAL PROBLEMS.

DOMINION CONFERENCE.

DELEGATES FROM CALIFORNIA. VALUE OF EXCHANGING IDEAS. A party of dentists from California, who fori that Now Zealand can teach them much in certain branches of dental science, arrived from Vancouver by the Niagara yesterday. They have come here at the invitation of the New Zealand Dental Association and will take part in the Dominion dental conference to commence in Wellington next Monday. Heading the delegation is Professor E. H. Mank, lecturer on dentistry at the University of California, other members of the party being Drs. H E. Miller, R. E. Keys, J. D. Gill, J. W. Rousch and C. 0. Tufts. All are specialists practising in California Professor Mauk said from a dental point of view the United Slates was in the closest possible touch with New Zealand. They felt New Zealand had made progress in the question of diet in relation to the teeth, and while here they would gather all they could about it. Especially were they interested, in this connection, in the Maoris. They were also interested in what the New Zealand Government; was doing in caring for the teeth of children. "We are very emphatic about the value of exchanging ideas," said Professor Mauk. "These visits can do nothing but good. We have come here just as visitors, and we want to learn all we can." "Modern dentistry is developing along the lines of taking preventive measures," continued Professor Mauk. ''Wo believe in correcting troubles before they become bad. In some of our schools we have dental clinics, generally with trained young women in charge, and this movement is developing. It is an excellent scheme, if carried out along the right lines." Dealing with the dead tooth problem, Professor Mauk said there was a radical movement to destroy a dead tooth on every occasion. There was always a potential danger in retaining a dead tooth, but if examined periodically, he believed there would be little likelihood of any trouble. The problem of pyorrhoea waS now the subject of intensive research. The Carnegie Foundation had made a grant of £16,000 for the work, much of it being carried out in the University of California. On their arrival yesterday the party was met by Mr. Lawrence Taylor, president of the New Zealand Dental Association, who extended a welcome on behalf of the dentists of New Zealand. The visitors will leave for Wellington this even-