View report page

66
The most striking difference is seen in the most relevant columns (6) and (7)
of Table A. Without any exception in any age group, the incidence of caries per
child is markedly less now than in 1806. Especially is this to be seen in the younger
children's temporary teeth, a fall from 7.1 carious teeth per child to 2.0 carious
temporary teeth per child. A second very marked difference is seen in the permanent
teeth of the elder children. Instead of a progressively increasing amount of caries
of teeth that must last a life-time, which in 1906 amounted to at least 4 at the twelfth
year, to-day caries is at least held back at the eleventh and almost held back at
the twelfth year.
The lymphatic glands under the lower edge of the jaw-bone are the drains for
toxins and micro-organisms from the teeth. In column (11) is seen the past and
present state of these glands. In 1906, scarcely a child without the glands choked
and hard, working continuously to overcome the microbes and poisons. To-day only
two children in every seven suffering in this way, and of those one child is to be found
only by diligent search, for the amount of enlargement of the glands is often very
small. We know now that these glands, poisoned and choked, are a ready soil for
tuberculosis. Chronic sore throat, so frequently associated with inflamed gums,
has fallen by 50 per cent.; there is a distinct decrease in anaemia (and maldevelopment)
very especially among the girls, the incidence of enlarged tonsils remains
the same.
To sum up: the average number of carious teeth per child stands at 2.10 this
year, as against 7.4 in 1906; and 4.71 teeth per child have been treated; 47 children
(21.5 per cent.) were found completely free from any dental or oral disease; no diseasefree
mouth was found in 1906. Also continuous chronic poisoning due to diseased
teeth, as shown by the condition of the gland drains, shows a corresponding decrease.
How far are the questions of the Council answered ? The children are receiving
benefit to their health, locally as respects mouth and teeth, and generally the whole
body; these factors must influence the mind. Practically no cases of the gross dental
sepsis and neglect of oral hygiene of 1S06 were evident; at most, 4 per cent, as
against 95 per cent, in 1906; there was only one case of "toothache"; the general
bearing of the children was almost invariably bright, disciplined yet not oppressed,
happy and clean. But to the second question so glowing an answer cannot be
given. There still remains an appreciable amount of caries; of enlarged tonsils,
and the after-effects of early dental disease, as shown by the remains of abscesses;
some deformed jaws were seen, and inflammation of the gums, both of these latter
the early causes of adult pyorrhoea. As was reported to the Council last year, we
are the receivers of "damaged goods"; in the early years of the child's life at
school we can only repair damage done before and after birth—while the child is at
home. We treat only one half of the school population; parental ignorance, apathy,
and sometimes even obstruction, prove the greatest obstacles to treatment of the
other half.
For the moment the service is just, and only just, meeting the demand; during
1926, of the children inspected dentally in London, noted as requiring treatment,
69 per cent, received dental treatment, a much higher figure than in the rest of
England and Wales.* No regulation treatment other than "immediate" for
deformed jaws and teeth is given at any centre, although it is known that much more
of this exists than the dental hospitals can treat. With the increase of numbers
seeking treatment, there must be " pari passu " an increase in staff and accommodation;
as our children treated in the last twenty years in their turn marry and bring
their children to the centre—willingly do they do this—so must we increase our
centres, so that we may no longer receive "goods" battered beyond repair, but
treat early to prevent decay and its consequences.
*The figures given in Sir George Newman's annual report for 1926 of the percentage of
children requiring treatment who received it are:—London, 69.7; counties, 56.7; boroughs,.
57.4; urban districts, 55.9 ; county boroughs, 55.4.