BAD TEETH.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1073, 11 March 1911, Page 6

BAD TEETH.

SERIOUS DANGER TO HEALTH. WHAT IS PROPOSED AT CHRISTCHURCH. (By Tclccraph.—Special Corrcenondcnt.l Christchurch, March 10. The cable message from London with referenco to Professor Godleo's statement that rheumatism was caused, by bad teeth, was brought under, tho notice of a prominent dental surgeon in the city wlio has made tho subject a. study.

"My experience," he said, "has taught mo that carious teeth contain tne germs of all diseases. Among t-no oaciui wtiicli aro to be found m tne cavities of decayed teoui aro the germs of utpntlieria, typnoid lever, and scarlet lever. 1 have Known or a patient going into tho hospital with scanet rever and on seaicning for tho cause it was iound the teetu of tlio relatives of tho patient were all in a decayed state and were in fact full of active bacteria. Ninety-eight per cent of tho patients who go into tlio hospitals tor operation have bad teeth, 'liie mouth is full of germs of all sorts of diseases. Tho operation may be successful, but there is a very good chance of tho germs killing tlio patient. In America no surgeon will operate until ho is assured that the mouth of the patient is iii an aseptic condition. Professor Godlee has evidently taken a culture of a molar and found tho bacillus there. Thero is no medium that we know of which is moro favourable for the production of baccili than carious teeth. I feel confident that if medical men were to examine tho teeth of their patients they would be able to diagnose tho diseaso with far more certainty than is tho case now. With tho knowledge of what a potent factor to tho production of disease decayed teeth arc we have urged on tho Hospital Board tho necessity for the establishment of a dental ward to the hospital, but in vain. If tho Hospital Board.would givo us a dental ward at tho hospital and allow us to manago it in this way I feel certain there need not. bo anything like tho percentage of deaths, and thero would bo no need for increased accommodation."

Tlio "Press," commenting editorially on the matter, says; "Tho importance of having a deutal ward in connection with a general hospital is being generally recognised. In Wellington a plan framed by the medical superintendent ill consultation with tlio leading dentists has been adopted by the Hospital Board, and it is estimated that the ward, which will involve only a moderate expenditure, will be practically self-supporting. Tho Christchureh Hospital Board, as soon as it gets its new mcdical superintendent, will do well, wo think, to givo tho matter earnest attention. We have no doubt that the leading dentists of Christchurch will glady assist, as their brethren in Wellington have done, to produce a workablo plan." Mr. W. W. Tanner, chairman of the Hospital Committee, oil being interviewed, said tho board had received Quito a shoal of lott-ers from school committees urging the establishment of a dental ward in the hospital. They had also been approached by the local Dental Association, but they had riot a spare inch of room in tho hospital. Indeed, tlicy had discussed the question of giving up tho board room at the hospital as a temporary ward for the work of the hospital, and holding their meetings in an adjacent schoolroom. It would thus bo seen that, however much thoy desired to meet tho Dental Association in their offer, thoy could not do so as they had no place for the ward. That they as a board were in favour of the proposal for a dental ward was proved by the fact that accommodation was provided in the new building now in course of erection. They had written to Auckland, where a dental ward existed i i connection with tho hospital, asking for figures and statistics with regard to the working. Unless thoy had mistaken the figures, tho expenditure was very great, amounting almost to £1 per tooth. They had, however, asked for sorno further information on the subject. "Now the question comes," said Mr. Tanner, "as to what is to bo done during tho period which must elapse before the new building is and hero I may say what appears to mo to be a very excellent suggestion has been mado to the committee. This is that several dentists should bo appointed in various portions of the city whoso offices might bp made as it were dental wards for tho time being. Patients could be sent there with what I may/call an outpatient's letter and attended to. Tho idea commends itself" to' mo as being an excellent one, particularly for women and children. Besides it would relieve the congestion at tho hospital which would occur. The subiect has not, yet been considered bv tlio committee."