THE CARE OF THE TEETH

Hokitika Guardian, 12 June 1923, Page 1

THE CARE OF THE TEETH

THE DEX’i'AL CAMPAIGN. This is the age when we are looking . so much to the State to help us. It is a progressive age towards State socialism. But. it is just an evolution of the times, because the individual is failing to help himself, and the State steps in to do the job. The Department of Health in this Dominion is setting about the mothering of us all. It does so in many ways, but the particular way we have to refer to today, is in the care of the teeth—for the young at school. For a goodly while past the Hokitika School Committee lias been hammering away for tlie establishment of a dental clinic in connection with Victoria School. This has come to pass, for already Miss A. D. Bogle is comfortably installed in a cosy clinic adjacent to the main school •building. Miss Bogle is the sixth lady dentist to he sent out by the Department. so Hokitika, is being well served. particularly so as the young lady is an enthusiast at her work and about nor work and parents with young children should, make Miss Bogie’s acquaintance without delay for she can give very helpful advice and instruction with regard to the children’s teeth. The care of tlie teeth of children, the future men and women of the coming generations, is of the highest importance to the nation and the race. Decay should he prevented in the interests of national health and well being. In one of the leaflets issued it is laid down that “A clean month is more important than a clean face” ; and again that “C’aic of tlie children’s teeth will add to their vigour and happiness, and help to ensure their future health and success in life.”

These precepts lay the foundation to the sermon the Department preaches in regard to the care of children's teeth. Tfioie is much inteiesting matter printed on the subject, and distributed free, and parents with the interests of their cliildien at heart, should, not fail to study the advice and instruction given. In this connection we will content ourselves by quoting the remarks of tlie Diieetor of Dental Hygiene, issued to parents and guardians :

“As you may he unaware of the state uf your child’s teeth, 1 would ill aw your attention to the serious effect its pre-

sent dental condition must have on its health unless the defects as shown on tlie attached chart are remedied inimcdiatelv.

“The Department shares with you the desire that your child should enjoy the best health possible, and therefore T strongly recommend that treatment he given without delay. If you are unable to have this propcily done, treatment will he given free at the school denial clinic.

“'ll is of the utmost importance that patents should understand that much of a child's growth and good health depend upon iLs mouth and teeth being healthy and clean, also dullness and backwardness in children is frequently due to decayed teeth and unclean mouths. All teeth, whether temporary or permanent, that show the slightest sign of decay should ho treated and thereby made healthy. Teeth that cannot re rendered healthy on account ol advanced decay should be removed, especially ulieu they do not ache, as it is the painless unhealthy roots Unit cause tho hotly to he poisoned and lead to many proven table illnesses. “For tile sake of your child's future good health please see that tho teeth are made healthy and cleaned regularly night anti morning.” ~rre are a few simple suggestions which arc helpful towards keeping good health,:- ■

(’a refill ; ; t lit ion to diet. Hard food requiring mast icniicn in preference to sloppy load. Wholemeal hicad in preference t" white. Sufficient vegetables, lightly cooked: or raw. such as leituee nr ridi-h. A piece ol apple to finish cadi meal. The avoidance as ninth as possible o| sweets, sweet biscuits, and cakes. Three meals a, day. with no milk or ‘‘pieces'’ in between. The use of the tootfdn tish: u iih water, or salt and water, as the only dentifrice. Of course you will remember i-e in ed for fresh air. e\i r. ise. and si fticient sleep. Mi s Bogle has her heelqnarlcis at Victoria School, and after the town school children are dealt with, v. I.

tutu attention to iho counity sdn o.s, hut ii will be necessary ler the young children to come I t Hokitika lor tic.-.1-meiit meiit ai the rooms here. Ol all the children so far examined at tlie Hokitika school, only cue child bad n peafeet pet of teeth, not requiring attention. There were many defectives, some very laid indeed. Miss Bogle who is an enthusiast in the mission she has undertaken, is quite concerned about the childrens’ teeth, and hopes parents will realise the need for special attention. Before treatment the parents’ consent is invited, hut 0 bring refused in some instances. ! *i:d this is a serious mistake to make, nothing bin good is done for the child, mid • f all thus? examined here, not cue has

cried under treatment. Parents can. therefore, have every confidence in the dental officer, and submit their children - ith the feeling, that wnnt is done i entirely to secure the boiler health of the" child for the future. \II the children are examined, and the condition of tile loath are charted. Many arc had. some very bad. and one with every tooth defective, ft is therefore, of serious moment to the nnrents in the interests of the children

to take advantage of this free oppottuuity to have the teeth examined. The treatment is followed up by regular inspection afterwards, the aim and object being to seen to the lest results and always to assure them. This gene-

rous action on the part of the Nt.ie is cetaiuly a step in the right direction, and the scheme appears to he inaegurat ‘d here under very favorable auspices. Miss liogle is. as has been remarked. an enthusiast, imbued vun tlw virtues of her work, and tern e.n Mviim the whole benefit of her knowledge for the good of the young children passing through her hands. Ihirents and guardians will not he (Icing their charges justice if they tail to take advantage of the opportunity i.ms presented locally.