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106
These benefits are far-reaching. It is no exaggeration to say that after
childhood is passed a high proportion of the inhabitants of Shoreditch are
allowing their health to suffer from neglected teeth, and that by the time
middle life is reached the individual who does not stand in immediate need
of dental treatment is highly exceptional.
It is too often held that the be all and end all of teeth and dentists are
toothache and extraction. Painless septic teeth which poison the system
for years and bring crippling and life-shortening ills in their train are
neglected with appalling frequency.
The residents of this Borough are in the fortunate position of being able
to obtain dental treatment at a price graduated according to their capacity
to pay, and taken in its entirety this Report shows that they have not been
slow to avail themselves of their opportunities.
Much education, however, is still required to combat the apathy that
has for so long been the prevailing attitude.