SOLDIER'S TEETH.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1916, Page 8

SOLDIER'S TEETH.

WORK OF THE DENTAL SERVICE. "T do think something ought, to bo said about the dental work thru is being done in connection with the New Zealand Forces," said the Minister for Defence (Hon. J. Allen) on Saturday. ''New Zealand was the first to have dentists on transports and at the front; we have had dentists in onr camps, and have organised a very effective dental service. Ido not say that it. does not require further development.; T think it does, hut we have a very large staff at work, and a'.number of civilian dentists are giving up a lot of time to assist us, . The Now Zealand Dental Association has also rendered valuable assistance. They have reduced their prices for treatment, of the men, and are assisting us in examination, and treatment of" recruits, They have also reduced prices in connection with returned soldiers who come hack with their teeth in a condition requiring treatment. "We are arranging tr; have Ihe returned soldiers treated at lessened rates up to the time they are discharged. For men who were discharged before tills regulation came into force, special arrangements will be made. We cannot oiicn (he door too widely, because of the eosl. Our soldiers are going away in a very much more efficient condition, as fur as their mouths are concerned, than they were nt the beginning. I don't think we realise the importance of good teeth in soldiers. 1 have m: doubt that many an illness can be traced to bad teeth and consequent imperfect mastication.''