TEETH OF OUR YOUTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2012, 7 August 1919, Page 3

TEETH OF OUR YOUTH.

SOME STARTLING DISCLO-

SURES. Some startling, disclosures regarding the teeth of New Zealand’s, youth are contained in the report of (he Principal Dental Officer, Trentham Camp, who carried out the dental examination and charting of 251 Senior Cadets who underwent courses of instruction during the period January-May, 1019. The figures supplied disclose the fact that there were only fifteen boys who did not require dental attention, and that the remainder presented an average of approximately twelve defective teeth each. Taking into consideration the number of teeth already missing as the result of previous extraction, it may be safely stated that half the teeth in each mouth are either missing or defective. With the general septic 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 a dental condition which is a serious menace to the health of the boys concerned. The majority of these boys represented the youth of the Dominion educated at secondary schools, and therefore were probably better cared for than any other class of boy in New Zealand. This being so, the summary of treatment required is a stinking commentary upon the extraordinary defective dental condition of the pick of the country’s future manhood. In (lie 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 the age of 25 years. The summary shows (hat in the mouths of the 251 cadets examined 2,578 fillings were required, 102 extractions, and 20 artificial dentures.

“In comparing the dental condition of these lads with that of the 2nd Division men of the N.Z.E.F.,” says the dental officer, “it is interesting to note that each cadet has on an average G. 5 more defective teeth than the soldier of the 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 be more inclined to recognise the importance of oral hygene, yet the figures undoubtedly lend emphasis to the contention that unless preventive measures are adopted the incidence to caries of the teeth tends to increase.”

As it was thought probable that the parents and guardians of the boys concerned wefe unaware of the serious dental conditions existing, a circular letter was sent to them in all cases where necessary, drawing attention to the defects, and stressing the very great benefit which would result if these boys were given the opportunity of an early visit to a dentist.