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I am glad to be able to place on record the fact that parents
have this year taken more notice than ever before of repeated
admonitions on the score of cleanliness, the use of the toothbrush,
and so forth.
"Without serviceable and healthy teeth you cannot have
healthy and serviceable citizens. The public at large has hitherto
failed, and lamentably failed, to realise in any adequate manner
the amount of preventable evil that dental disease produces, or
to realise the value as a national asset that lies in sound and
healthy teeth." Mr. Leonard Matheson, L.D.S., made these
telling remarks in his presidential address to the members of
the British Dental Association, at their general meeting held in
the Examination Hall of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and
Surgeons last year. That the well-being of the State is largely
dependent upon its citizens having good teetlh was, in fact, one
of the guiding principles of Mr. Matheson's address, and the
fact cannot be too frequently impressed upon young mothers.
The President of the L.D.A. said further that:—"In laying'
its opinions before educationalists, the association laid stress
on three things—the widespread prevalence of and the havoc
wrought to general health by bad teeth among children; the
importance of instructing both teachers and children in the simple
rules of hygiene and preventive treatment; and the absolute
necessity of expert supervision and treatment being given to
children. The cost of the appointment of dentists to elementary
schools would be repaid over and over again in the improved
health of the adult population, which should in its adolescent
stage pass under the proper supervision of qualified dentists."
AGE OF CHILDREN.
The following extract from Report of the Organising Inspector
was submitted to the Education Committee on 14th
December, and is reproduced here :—