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to convince such mothers that it is a fallacy to imagine that teeth
erupt in an unhealthy condition. Some of the teeth may be of a
softer structure than the others, but they are nevertheless free from
disease when they grow through the gums, and may be kept
healthy by proper diet, and prophylactic measures and by frequent
examination by the dentist.
In the report of the School Dental Service reference is made
to an investigation carried out into the incidence of malocclusion
and types of deformity which frequently appear in the jaws of
children who have prematurely lost their deciduous teeth. These
defects when treated often take a long time to correct, and cause
a certain amount of inconvenience to the child. If parents would
take more care of their children's temporary teeth a large proportion
of this treatment would not be necessary, and consequently
there would be a great saving of time and energy to both parent
and dentist.
It is desirable that there should be a complete scheme of
inspection and treatment, if required, for all children of preschool
age irrespective of their having attended a Welfare Centre.
It is only by the inauguration of a complete system of dental
supervision that it is possible to control the incidence of dental
disease in the young child.