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98
tions were made by the Admiralty and War Office InterDepartmental
Committee on Physical Deterioration. It is
quite certain that, if they were carried out, the total amount
of dental disease would be much reduced, and the problem of
treatment brought within more manageable limits. The
spending of comparatively small sums on the teaching of
dental hygiene would be the highest form of economy; the
teaching should be given by the school teachers themselves,
who should receive instruction by means of lectures given by
dental surgeons.
However, the utmost that may be done in the way of
prevention is not likely to do more than ameliorate the evil,
and the question of actual treatment remains for consideration.
The British Dental Association wishes to lay special
emphasis on the particular portion of the Report of the Special
Sub-Committee of the Education Committee of the London
County Council which deals with this matter. There can be
little doubt that the establishment of school clinics of a modest
character, for the simple treatment of children's teeth, would
not only be a great boon to the children themselves, but would
prevent at the outset many serious conditions. The maintenance
of a healthy mouth would go far towards allowing the
children to reach maturity with a physique that would enable
them to earn their living in the face of industrial competition,
and thereby save them from being thrown upon charity or the
State for partial or complete maintenance at an early age. It
would in the long run be the truest economy."
Suggestions as to dental treatment are made in a later part of
this report.
METHODS EMPLOYED OR AVAILABLE FOR THE TREATMENT
OF DEFECTS.
During 1909 the Public Health Department continued to undertake
the treatment of ringworm and minor skin complaints.
RINGWORM.
The arrangements described in my previous annual reports
have continued in force during the past year.
The following table shows the number of cases supervised by
the Public Health Department during 1909.