SCHOOL CHILDREN'S TEETH

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9257, 26 January 1916, Page 9

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S TEETH

"A OONDITION THAT RBQTHEBS IMMEDIATE ACTION. 1 ’ The condition of the teeth of children in the local public schools was discussed by the Wellington. Education Board at, its meeting yesterday, when a report was submitted by the Dcjxtal Afioociatwii the inspection of the teeth of children attending one of the large schools of the city. The report stated that of the 836 children examined, only two were found to have a. set of perfect teeth. In 37 cases it was found that treatment wag not required, while in 107 oases the teeth had received previous attention. In 280 instances the first molar had been removed; 16 children were suffering from gum boils j three had every tooth decayed, while two children were found, to be without teeth. The total number of teeth that required extraction was 2576, .while 2653 required to be filled.* ■ , The chairman- (the Hon- J. G. ”, Aitken) said that Wine remedy must be found, as such a state of things should not be allowed to continue. He therefore moved: "That the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board be asked to set up a committee to confer with this, board with the object of seeing if some wav out of the position cannot be evolved.” _ Mr Duke said that the Hospital Board; had already- had the matter before it, and he was of the opinion that the central department should be approached Xt was gen ©rally admitted tlxa-t a b sal thy condition of the mouth prevented disease, in a large measure. ' Sir Walter Buchanan said that many theories had been put forward from time to time —including climatic conditxone, ingredients in the water used, ’ insufficiency of lime in the water—as the cause of decayed teeth in children, but in this age of advanced medical ■ science the actual cause of the disability suffered by the school children should be easily ascertained. ’ , The chairman replied that medical reports had reached the board showing that examination qf the teeth of school children led to the belief that the question of food entered largely into that of the state of the teeth. The Education Department had been asked by the board to supply some details on the question in order that leaflets might be placed in the ■ hands of parents setting forth the class, of food most beneficial to the teeth, but the department in reply .stated that it was unable to supply th© information asked for., The motion waa earned.