CHILDREN’S TEETH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19793, 17 March 1927, Page 7

CHILDREN’S TEETH

ARRESTING DECAY HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S WORK (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 16. While the condition of the teeth of children in New Zealand must compare favourably with that of children of other countries, it is rather alarming to discover that in primary schools of the Dominion it is estimated that 99 per cent of the pupils are affected by dental decay. Physical fitness is of paramount im- i portancc to a educational system and, realising this fact, the Health Department has attacked the “luxury decay” problem in a manner that is meeting with the approval not only of the community at large but also of those pursuing the profession of dental surgery. The fact that the scheme is now beyond the experimental stage was commented upon by Mr T. A. Hunter, Director of Dental Services, in course of an interview to-day. From a small beginning the service has developed rapidly along approved lines and today there arc 46 clinics in commission in various parts of the Dominion. These are engaging tho attention of 55 operators. Over 33,000 children are being treated or are under treatment in this manner, and over 500,000 operations have been performed by tho dental nurses, who first made their appearance in 1923. Prior to this surgeons carried out a limited number of operations but of course their efforts w’ere practically negligible, considering the large number of children requiring attention. “Wherever clinics are in operation,” explained Mr Hunter, “they are meeting with great success and school committees, Education Boards and parents alike have expressed their satisfaction at the system and desire that the facilities be extended. Where treatment has been carried out in schools medical officers report that the health of the children has improved correspondingly to a marked degree. Over 95 per cent of children have been found to be suffering from dental diseases and this increase is attributed to our stupid diet and dietetic habits. One of the most important departures of dental clinic operations, therefore, is that in respect to educating both parents and children to adopt proper diets for tho prevention of diseases of teeth.” Mr Hunter was reluctant to tQuch upon the policy of the Department for the future but indicated that it was hoped to extend the system steadily.