PLUNKET SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 October 1943, Page 4

PLUNKET SOCIETY

MOTHERS ENTERTAINED SOCIAL EVENING ADDRESS ON CHILDREN’S TEETH A most successful social evening for the entertainment of mothers was given by (he committee of the Masterton branch of the Plunket Society last evening at the Masonic Hall. The speaker of the evening was Miss J. O'Kane, of Wellington. There was a very large attendance. The hall and supper tables were most artistically decorated by members of the committee. An excellent supper was served, mostly of wholemeal sandwiches, savouries, cakes and biscuits. Delightful songs were given by Miss Beulah Hirst and an attractive display of dancing was given by four of Miss Hirst’s little pupils. Greatly appreciated recitations were contributed by Mrs R. Miller. The president extended a hearty welcome to all present and introduced Miss O’Kane, a qualified dentist and instructor at the Dental Clinic, Wellington, who gave a most satisfying and informative address. Miss O’Kane said that mother and child dental welfare had grown in New Zealand with the Plunket Society, due to the interest and friendship of the late Sir Truby King and to Mr Thomas Hunter, who had inaugurated the school dental service. There was a need for dental health education, because of the high incidence of caries in New Zealand, and mouth deformities due to premature extractions of baby teeth and habits contracted in babyhood, such as thumb sucking, faulty diet and lack of use of the teeth. It was necessary to incorporate in the diet of a child the foods which supplied the necessary mineral salts, especially calcium and phosphorous to build healthy teeth. The necessities were milk, at least 2 pints per day, dairy products, vegetables, cooked and raw, salads and fruit. School lunches should comprise brown bread, nuts, raisins, lettuce, fruit or vegetable fillings, wrapped in greaseproof paper or coloured cloth to make the lunch as colourful and attractive as possible. CLEANLINESS VITAL Cleanliness of the teeth was a vital necessity as soon as a child would allow a brush in its mouth, said Miss O’Kane. A small toothbrush, a salt and water solution or any toothpaste or powder which was not too soapy or abrasive could be used. Dental floss should be used carefully to remove debris from between the teeth. Gum massage and periodical visits to a dentist for examination and prophylaxis should be provided. Using the teeth and exercising the jaws from an early ago, giving babies hard foods to chew, teaching them to speak distinctly by using their mouths and jaws properly and special exercises for children with small and under-developed dental arches were advised. Then the teeth would not only be strong but the dental arches would be regular and easily kept clean. IMPORTANT FACTORS The most important factors, said Miss O’Kanc, were absolute cleanliness of the teeth, as much milk as the child would drink, plenty of hard “chewy” foods, three good meals a day without intermediate “play lunches," etc.; eliminating from the diet all unnecessary and useless foods such as cakes, pastries, sweets, etc., which gave a child a taste for sweet foods and spoilt the appetite for good foods. Many questions were asked at the conclusion of Miss O’Kane’s address and .were satisfactorily answered. Sprays of flowers were presented to Miss O'Kane and to all the artists. The singing of the National Anthem concluded a most enjoyable gathering.