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91
that the treatment is carried out; also the importance of dental
hygiene is emphasized by the teachers or by the S.M.O. in many
of the schools.
It is noticeable that the best and the worst sets of teeth
are found in the poorer schools of the district. This is probably
due to the coarser food given during early life, which acts as a
mechanical cleanser and develops the use of the jaw, whereas
well-cooked food requires less mastication and soft, starchy foods
tend to collect round the bases of the teeth and cause decay.
On the other hand, if Nature's supply has proved faulty in
the poorer schools, no attempt has been made to check commencing
caries, and this leads to enlarged cervical glands from septic
absorption, malnutrition and impaired general health.
In a certain number of cases the second set of teeth are found
to be in faulty position owing to the late shedding of the primary
set and failure to secure early dental treatment.
In some parts of the country, toothbrush drill is a feature
of the school work, or " toothbrush clubs " have been established
where children are supplied with brushes and powder at very
cheap rates. In Bedfordshire, a private philanthropist instituted
an ingenious scheme of competition in the care of the teeth.
Prizes were given for the most perfect teeth: the children
were classified in four age-groups, with three prizes for each
age-groups. The entrance fee for the competition was l½d., in
return for which each competitor received a toothbrush and box of
tooth powder, the two costing 5d. bought wholesale.
All these methods of inducing care of the teeth are a great
attraction, while they have the merit of novelty, and probably
some children continue the good habits formed at school into
later life.