HEALTH OF CHILDREN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11223, 31 May 1922, Page 6

HEALTH OF CHILDREN

VISIT TO BENTAL CLINIC “A GREAT AND IMPORTANT MOVEMENT.”. PRESERVE WHAT NATURE GAVE. “Nature gave us teeth to use, and if we do not use them we shall lose them.” “Prevention is the keynote of our work. It is the foundation of the health of the people of the Dominion.” “Since February Ist, 1922, 1693 children under 15 years of age have attended. Total operations 6196, including 3077 extractions, of which 598 were second teeth, the - loss of which is mainly due to want of care, and neglect in earlier years.” “One of the greatest and most important movements in the interests of the general health and welfare of not only the people of this Dominion, but of the whole civilised world.” These are extracts from observations made to a “Times” reporter, who has just been on a visit to the Training School for Dental Nurses, Wellington, which is also serving as a dental clinic for school children and even those of more tender years. A GREAT VENTURE. At Whitmore street, adjoining Government Buildings, there is being carried on a great work of which the majority of the public know very little. The work is being organised under the Director of the Division of Dental Hygiene Department of Health, and & nurses are now undergoing training.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING? A pertinent question this, and ita answer is given in this article that the people may know what facilities there are to their hands, and the benefits their children may derive from making use of them. The cost is—nothing, which unfortunately is often the value that is placed upon a service that is rendered free. Take your child to the school. Advice will be given in all cases, and treatment to those who come within the regulations.

WOMAN’S TOUCH. The dental profession is now recognising tho Tame of the innovation, and a visit to tile training school would soon convince one of its success. There, every day, children are undergoing treatment, including extractions, fillings, scalings, etc., and it is obvious that modern methods are being pracas the almost complete absence of noise, which in the public mind is usually associated with the dentist’s chair, would show. The kiddies were nearly all smiling; certainly they had no fear, and the freedom with which they accompanied the nurses showed that they instinctively recognise the sympathy that was being extended to them. There was that indefinable link of sympathy and understanding which is one of the great attitudes of the gentler sex. A few questions here and thePo revealed (1) that very few of the children are nervous or troublesome; (2) that the parents who do attend have confidence in the treatment given at the school; (3) that the students are thoroughly devoted to this work and are happy in it; (4) that the research work accomplished by the supervisors will be of the utmost v alue to the community.

THIRTY NEARLY TRAINED. The present staff of thirty dental nurses entered upon their training rather more than a year ago, and, towards the end of 1921, were allowed to perform under qualified supervision, simple hygienic treatments which gave them facility for handling small children.

t The first, year of their work is practically devoted to study, and they are given lectures and instruction daily in the well-equipped lecture hall. Then begins the practical work, and there are sixteen modern dental chairs, with equipment, two of which are in the extraction room. There is a certain amount of clerical work involved, as every piece of work is recorded with the name of the patient, and this is filed in a way that makes reference easy.

But one of the most important points of the whole scheme is the teaching and spreading of the gospel of prevention. Its purpose is not merely the cleansing, filling, and extraction of teeth. It goes deeper than that. It is the prevention of decay in the children’s teeth rather than the cure that is the first principle. It is the wish to impress upon the children and their parents the value of them, and to this end talks to parents are arranged, when they are given advice as to the diet children should be given. Selected nurses, specially suited for the work, also go to the schools for the same purpose.

As the second year of training draws to a close the students will undergo an examination, but so whole-heartedly have they thrown themselves into their studies and work that there is little doubt as to their ability to survive the ordeal. It would appear obvious to the writer that it will be necessary to have more new students to carry on the continuity of the training and maintain the supply. CAUSE OF DECAY IN NEW ZEALAND.

At the inception of tlie scheme a minimum of 200 dental nurses or dentists was suggested, as necessary to cope with the condition of the teeth of children in the Dominion, and it is said ■that, considering the manner in which the population as distributed, this number will not be too' many. When asked why it was that New Zealand was noted for bad teeth, the reply was that the cause was definitely attributable to the large consumption of sugar, and the eating of so much refined food —that is, bread and cakes made of finely-milled and refined white flour. “New* Zealand has the finest air and the purest food in the world; the finest conditions of living; and yet they are said, with some truth, to have the worst teeth,” said the assistant supervisor, as he pointed out that the average consumption of sugar per head per year was 1601 b, or nearly halt a pound per diem. A century ago, in the Old Country, the yearly consumption was 101 b per head, and tlieir teeth wore much sounder than they are today. Recent statistics from Home show that during the war, when sugar was rationed and the supply was seven ounces per week, the result was that, after three years, the teeth of the cliildren showed a marked improvement. Ample evidence can he produced to show that, where the principles advocated hv the department have been adopted, both first and second sets of teeth can he preserved from decay.

The Government and the Minister for Health have been congratulated upon “having instituted such a necessary service in the country,” and it has been suggested that they would do well to foster and extend it with as little delay as possible.