HEALTH OF CHILDREN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 92, 18 April 1929, Page 6

HEALTH OF CHILDREN

DENTAL CLINIC’S WORK Seven hundred, and fifty AVanganui children attended tho Campbell Street Dental clinic during last year, < and oi this number less than five per cent, were found to have perfect teeth. These figures f indicate the important nature I of the work now being carried on by the Department of Den- ’ tai Hygiene in Wanganui. A “Chronicle” reporter, visiting the > clinic yesterday viewed the work of ! the staff while dental operations were I in progress. The building is stated to ■ be one of the most up-to-date structures for dental work in the Dominion. The I condition of the clinic is that of ini- I maculate cleanliness and systematic I order prevails throughout; thus cnsur- ( iug the maximum operating efficiency. ; Six windows and two skylights provide ! ample light, but three electric lights i are also installed for use, should the 1 necessity arise The floor is covered j with a heavy brown cork linoleum, i which, is kept polished to such a degree, that it reflects almost to the extent of a mirror. Placards relative to matters of health arc hung about the walls. The nurses, Aliss N. Alurray and Aliss A ; . Jolly were very enthusiastic in their work and claimed to be sympathetically backed by their Department heads in AVellington. It is evident that Col. Hunter, Director of Dental Hygiene maintains n close personal touch with his staff throughout the Dominion and affords them all the encouragement within his power. Although the clinic is a state department, public interest in the work is warranted. AVonderful progress has been made in the development of school dental clinics since their establishment in 1921, so that to-day there are 89 main treatment centres and 54 sub-bases in the Dominion. It. is stated that in spite of tho increased number of probationers and accommodation iu the AVelliagton centre there is already a long waiting list, it is impossible for the present, therefore, to undertake the treatment of any new cases until the waiting list has been disposed of. The Wellington training clinic started with 25 , probationers, each of whom had two years’ training, at the conclusion of which they wer^examined, and, if successful, were drafted to take charge of one or other of the school dental clinics in various parts of the Dominion, The number has steadily increased, until the number of new probationers this year is 40, and they commenced their training a few days ago. Those who had completed their two years’ training wore examined last month, and those who passed are now being sent to their various charges. The operators at tho clinic are ever ready to advise parents concerning matters affecting the health of the children they deal with, and it is their wish that the children’s parents should avail themselves of this offer. One of tho main reasons for the loss of dread of tho dentist is the fact that the nurses undertaking this work have been through a course of child psychology. They know how to handle children and how to avoid the fear complex arising, so that the methods employed by them practically ensures painless dentistry. One boy of six years, indeed, viewed the matter of an extraction of a troublesome molar, in the nature of a good joke. He made no demonstration against the insertion of a noodle for a local anasthctic and sat without a murmur, while tho molar was removed. Children are catered for from the time they enter the primers until they reached Standard V. After this the services of an outside professional man must be obtained for further treatment. Very definite views were impressed by the nurses on the bad condition of children’s teeth This they attributed to the prevalent sweet eating habit and also to the indulgence in white bread and other highly refined foods, which now form so large a portion of the modern diet. Tho Health authorities claim that bad teeth bring to school children more ill-health than any other single cause, and it was with the object of reducing the ill-health of children that the Government on the suggestion of Sir Janies I’arr, then Alinister of Education, established the Dental Hygiene Department in 1921. This Dental Department however, cannot do everything to assure the health of the children. The chief burden of this remains with the parents of the children. It is tho duty of parents to see that their children arc equipped with a tooth brush and taught to use it regularly for the following reasons: — Bad teeth can give rise to such diseases as blood-poisoning, consumption, pneumonia, diptheria, rheumatism, tonsilitis, and many others. Disease-germs multiply rapidly in a decaying tooth and can enter the body through it. Bad teeth also cause stomach troubles, and also render chewing difficult or impossible. Food which is not thoroughly chewed and I mixed with the saliva causes indigestion, constipation, and appendicitis. Atorcovcr, bad teeth cause toothache, and chronic toothache jnakes children nervous and irritable. Averting to the habit of eating between meals, the nurses strongly condemned the practice, and said that this doos not apply to children only. The principle of allowing the stomach time to complete its work after each meal before more food is taken should be the rule for all children, and is of special im-

portance in the case of any child whose health is below par and whose digestive power is consequently impaired. The old maxim ‘ ‘lit tie and often” is quite a mistake, whether i children are well or ill. Particular mention was made of the necessity for children to eat fruit. Too groat a stress cannot be laid upon this, especially the eating of apples, as the juice from them stimulates the flow of saliva, in the mouth, thus forming a natural bath for the tooth. As modern scientific research is proving that many present-day diseases arc caused bv wrong diet and dietic habits, it is hoped to bring these facts be!ore parents so that their children may be • shielded from much of the pain, illhealth, and actual disease now seriously affecting the rising generation. “ROLEX”—THE WATCH YOU CAN TRUST. The man on t c land. . . the business man with his appointments. . . the busv woman whose day is a round of shopping and calls. . . for every one there is a “Rolex” Watch for wrist or pocket, made exactly for individual requirements and to give perfect time month after month. Obtainable at aU good jewellers. 2