POOR TEETH

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 266, 6 August 1919, Page 10

POOR TEETH

DENTAL OFFICER'S EEPOET ON CADET'S TEETH.

Some disclosures regarding tho teeth of .New Zealand's .youth are- contained in tho report of the Principal Dental Officer, Trentliam Camp, who curried ou| tho denial examination and charting ot 251 Senior Cadets, who uudonvent courses of instruction during tho period JanuaryMay, 1919. The figures supplied disclose the fact that there, were only' fifteen boys who did not require dental attention, and that tho remainder presented an average of approximately twelve defective teeth each. Taking into consideration ■ tho number ot' teeth already missing as tho result of previous extraction, it may be fiafely stated that half tho teeth an each mouth are either missing or defective. With the general eeptic conditions and faulty masticatory power attendant upon the large amount of urgent treatment required, it is pointed out that of the 251 cadets examined GO per cent, were classified as presenting ft dental condition which is a ecrious menace to tho health 'of the boys concerned. Ino majority of these boys represented the .youth of the Dominion educated at secondary schools, and therefore were probably 'better cared for than any other clues of boy in New Zealand. This beiiif! so, the summary of treatment required is a. striking commentary upon tho extraordinary defective dental condition of tho pick of the country's filature 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 tho ngo of 25 years. The summary shows that in tho uiouthe of tho 251 cadete examined 2578 fillings wero required, Ip 2 extractions, and 20 artificial dentures. "In comparing the dental condition of these lads with that of tho Second Diyision men of the N.Z.8.F.," saye the dental officer, "it is interesting to note that each cadet has on an average G. 5 more defective teeth than the eoldier of tho New Zealand 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 .bo inoro inclinod to Tβcognise tho importance of oral hygiene, yet the figures undoubtedly lend emphasis to the contention that unless preventive measures aro adopted tho incidence to caries of tlw teeth tends to increase." As it was thought probable that the parents and guardians of tho boys concerned were unaware of the_ eerious dental conditions existing, a circular letter was sent to them in all oases where necessary, drawing attention to tho defects, and stressing the very great benefit which would result if theso boya were given the opportunity of an early visit to a denliet.