TEETH OF CHILDREN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1574, 3 October 1905, Page 3

TEETH OF CHILDREN.

DENTIST’S STRIKING REPORT,

Tho importance of paying groat attention *o tbo oara of children's tooth is otnphaslaed by a speoial report whioh the Duuedin High street Sehool Oommittoo has obtninod from a dontist of high standing on the state of the tooth of soholars on tho eobool roll. Mr F. H. Blakoloy, tbo dontist entrusted with tho work, reports to the oommittoo that ho examined tbo tooth of 800 ohildren of Standards I. to VII. Of all tho soholars examined, only about 85 havo sound sots of tooth, tho gonoral condition of the tooth being very bad. Of 160 examined in Standards I. to 11., 21 sets were perfeolly sound ; in Standards IV. to VII,, of those examined, 111 sets only wore sound; in Standards 1. to 11., whore the

children have only a few of their permanent teeth, in nearly every case I found the first permanent (or six-year»old) molars dooayod, a great many beyond hope of saviDg, and in tho interests of tho ohildren so afieoted, the matter should be attended to at onoo. In Standards IV. to VII., the ohildren of whioh have most of

. tbeir permanent teeth, the general condition o! the teeth is very bad, and as in | Standards I. to 111., tho first permanent molars are, in most oases, unsound. The upper front teeth of tho children in Standards IV to VII, in many cases, are in a very bod condition. Many teeth might been preserved by the frequent use of_ a toothbrush; indeed, several ohildren informed Mr Blakeley that thoy had never used a brush. Again, accummulation of green tartar on the front teeth Bpoilt the appearanoe of soveral otherwise very fair sets. The presence of stumps of temporary teeth in the mouth after the permanent teeth have appeared, io many oases, is causing irregularity in tho permanent, besides irritation arising therefrom, and the subsequent gathering in the mouth of foreign substances,whioh is a fruitful oause of decay. ■. ■ • ■ If tho teeth were examined onoe or twice , a year by a qualified dentist, there would not, Mr Blakely says, be a quarter of the tootbaohe troubles of children, and teeth would be saved which otherwise have to be extracted. Parents might save tho children a great, amount of trouble, and themselves muoh expense by paying constant attention to the regular use of tbo toothbrush by their ohildren, as this is quite as essential to general health as the cleanliness of the rest of the body. Mr Blakeley adds, " I would like to express my surprise and regret at finding so many nnsonnd teeth iD tho mouths of otherwise healthy looking children, I oonsider that it is decidedly to tbo advantage of parents ' and scholars that a periodical examinat’on should be made, as muoh present and I future suffering would be saved, and I 1 would emphasise the great importauoe of f oaring for the welfare of children's teeth,as ( the children wonld then have better health I and be consequently brighter In their sobool studies.” ]

At the welcome to Mies Jessi* Haolaehlao, the famous Soottish song* stress, at Christchurch, the Chief of the Scottish Society said: “ Her countrymen and countrywomen assembled that night were proud indeed that Miss Maolaohlon had throughout her illustrious oareer held fast to her good Highland name, refusing to change it for something Italian, although hard pressed to do so. They also felt proud that she oacue amongst them singing those grand and unrivalled Highland and Soots’ songs, -which were ‘inextricably interwoven with every department of their national life and history, and whioh had had so great a share in moulding the national Scottish character. Miss Maolschlan, who was enthusiastically cheered, said that she could hardly find words to express her appreciation of the kindly and magnificent welcome afforded her by the members oi the society. It was hard to realise that she was 13,000 miles across tbe sea from Scotland. Indeed, that night she felt very near to her native Argyleshire. She had been highly delighted during her tour of Australasia to find tbe deep sense of loyalty to their loved Sootlaod, whioh prevailed everywhere, and the enthusiasm which was notiosable with regard to Scottish music. It had been her privilege to carry the message of home by song to many a Scot far from his native land, and this knowledge had oheered her. She thanked them again in the name of Soottish song for the honor done her that night, and also in the name of Jessie MoLaohl&n for their kindly Soottish welcome, which had made her feel qoite at home though in far New Zealand.”

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