WELLINGTON NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16506, 6 August 1919, Page 2

WELLINGTON NOTES.

DEFECTIVE TEETH. OF NEW ZEALAND YOUTHS. BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ■WELLINGTON, August 5. Some startling disclosures regarding the teeth of New Zealand youths are contained in the report of the principal dental officer at Trentham Camp, who carried out a dental examination and the charting of 251 senior cadets who underwent courses of instruction during the period from January to May, 1919. The figures supplied disclose the fact that there were only 10 hoys who did not require dental attention and that the remainder presented an average of approximately 12 defective teeth each, taking into consideration the number of teeth already missing, as the result of previous extractions. It may be safely stated that half the teeth in each mouth are either missing or defective with a general septic condition and faulty mastication power attendant upon the large amount of urgent treatment required. It is now pointed out that of the 251 cadets examined 60 per cent, were classified as presenting a dental condiion which is a serious menace to the health of the hoys concerned. The majority of these hoys represents the youth of the Dominion, educated at secondary schools, and therefore they were probably better cared for than any other class of boy in New Zealand. This being so, tho summary of treatment required is a striking commentary upon the extraordinary defective condition of tho pick of the country’s future manhood.

In the opinion of dental experts it is quite obvious that unless these lads receive urgent conservative treatment many of them will have lost all their teeth before they reach tin? age of 25 years. The summary shows that in the mouths of the 251 cadets examined 2578 fillings were required, 162 extractions, and 20 artificial dentures.

“In comparing the dental condition of these lads with that of the 2nd Division men of the N.Z.E.F..” says the dental officer, “it is interesting to noto that each cadet has on an average 6.5 more defective teeth than the soldier of the N.Z. army, and although in making the comparison consideration must be given to the fact that men who accept the responsibilities of married life will probably be more inclined to recognise the importance of oral hygiene ; yet the figures undoubtedly fend emphasis to the contention that unless preventive measures are adopted the incidence to caries of teeth tends to increase.” As it was thought probable that the parents and guardians of the boys concerned were unaware of the siyious denial conditions existing, a circular letter was sent to them in all cases where necessary, drawing attention to the defects and stressing the very great benefit which would result if these boys were given the opportunity of an early visit to a dentist.