THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1906.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8110, 3 April 1906, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1906.

Some of the branohes of the New Zealand Dental Association are taking steps to prooure the examination of the teeth of State school scholars, with a view to the systematic prevention of deoay. While the method to be ultimately adopted is not yet outlined, there can be no doubt as to the desirability of dental superintendence over the rising generation, and very few will be found to object to some form of compulsion. As in education itself, compulsion does not affect those

who voluntarily accept the admitted standard of civilisation, and it is not less necessary for a community to have sonnd teeth than for it to have generally passed the Sixth Standard Prom causes which are not yet clearly defined, the teeth of the civilised man have greatly deteriorated, not merely as compared- to those of uncivilised peoples, bat as oompared to those of our own race in very recent times. It is recognised that physical health is impossible unless food is properly masticated, and however well artificial teeth may compensate- for the loss of the natural, the care and preservation of the natural teeth is the only intelligent course. Wa have unanimously agreed that the enforcement of sanitary law is a publio function, but we have so far failed to take any public measures in the i dental direction. To do so is beset with so many difficulties that ii; caunot be regarded as possible in general and actual practice, however theoretically desirable it may be. But what we can do is to make use of the national educational system by instituting periodic examinations of the teeth of snbolars, by making some Bort of provision for requisite professional treatment, and by in oulcating and enforoing the cleanliness which is the principal preventive of decay. And we may be reasonably assured that if children's teeth are systematically caied for the lesson will generate a habit that will be effective in after years. Iq the United Kingdom, in Europe, and in America, this method is already being experimentally initiated, and tthe colony will be greatly indebted to the Dental Association if it can institute here similar action by practically demonstrating what can be done. Parents ought to be able to dispense in this with any State interference or assistance, but if all parents did what they ought to do the world would be a very different world to wh<t it is. We have had to make education compulsory. We have to make a'ndt enforce laws, by-laws and regulations upon all manner of things that are admittedly self proven. And since we are beginning to realise that sound teeth keep people out of hospital, enable them la do their part in social [and industrial life, are essential to national dofenoe as well as to individual health, it is well that we should begin to consider the best way to ensure them.