SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20916, 22 September 1939, Page 3

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

COMBATING DENTAL DISEASE The treatment of children’s teeth is one of the most important branches of dental surgery, and one which demands great tact and patience, writes a dental nurse at the Hamilton clinic. Upon the care bestowed on the teeth of the child depends very largely the soundness of the teeth of the man, and it is therefore of the utmost importance that during the years of childhood all that is possible should be done to i obtain and preserve the maximum dental efficiency. School children in New Zealand are most fortunate in having the advantages of the School Dental Clinics, which are scattered throughout the whole of the Dominion. These clinics are controlled by the Health Department, and are in charge of trained dental nurses, all of whom are most capable at their work. Importance of First Teeth In the care of the deciduous or temporary teeth largely depends state of the permanent teeth. It is essential that these first teeth receive strict attention, and it is entirely wrong to think that as they are only the temporary teeth, they are not important. This unfortunately is the attitude which is adopted by many parents. As the«permanent teeth are already formed in the sockets some time before they erupt, it will be readily understood that the state of the temporary teetii must affect their condition. Hence the dental nurses urge parents to pay strict attention to mouth cleanliness of the child from birth. As the teeth commence to form many months before the child is born, it is necessary that the mother should be very careful as to her diet during pregnancy, as this is the deciding factor on whether or not these teeth arc dense and perfect in structure. Importance of Good Habits The nurses impress on parents the importance of good habits being taught the children at an early age. From the age of 2 years, children should be encouraged to clean their teeth after every meal and last thing at night. The child’s first teeth should be preserved until the appointed time, and temporary teeth are intended to serve the youngster for a period of 8 to 10 years, so that parents arc asked to realise lhat, should these teeth he lost before the appointed time, the result will be that the child will not gain the height proportionate to liis age. Co-operation of Parents Sought 'Parents are asked to co-operate with the clinic authorities by watching over the cleanliness of their children’s teeth and by supplying a sensible diet. For school lunches, honey, raisins, figs, dates, etc., are suggested, in place of jam. Fruit only is desirable for play lunch and a meal should always finish with a piece of appie, orange or raw carrot. Wholemeal bread, crusts and twice-baked bread, should be included in a child’s diet. Hard food which requires much mastication is essential for the growth and development of jaws, so that sufficient space is available for the permanent teeth on their eruption. One impression gained from my visit was that unless there was more cooperation ‘ from parents and children alike, more dental operative work would he required, and the clinic would develop into a tooth hospital rather than a Dental Health Educational Centre.