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"Third.—The attendance of as many parents as possible
at dental, inspections, when explanation and advice could be
given and many prejudices broken down. This alone would,
in my experience, result in a very large increase in the number
accepting treatment.
"Fourth.—As a minimum, annual inspection and necessary
treatment to all school children.
"Fifth.—Some means should be found of bridging the gap
between school leaving age and the time when dental benefits
are available to the insured worker. Further, dental benefit
should be uniformly given by all approved societies.
"This requirement is of the utmost importance, as at present
the adolescent is in very many cases entirely neglected dentally
for four or five very important years.
PARTICULARS OF INVESTIGATION UNDERTAKEN
DURING 1936.
"The children, aged five and six, in one infant school were
examined thoroughly for dental defects. Out of 458 children, 22
only (4.8 per cent.) were found to have perfect dentition.
"The mothers of these children were invited to the school to
interview the dental surgeon. Nineteen responded to this request,
two did not reply, and one, unable to attend, gave useful particulars
in a letter.
"The intention was to obtain information upon the rearing of
these children which might be useful to others who desired to obtain
the same results. These mothers gave a full description of their
methods, the child's habits, likes and dislikes, etc., together with
details of their own diet and health.
"Below is a summary of the findings:—
Parents' teeth.—Some parents had good teeth, some bad, but
mainly moderately good.
Brothers' and sisters' teeth.—Only children, 8; other children's
teeth in families were good, 10; other children's teeth
fairly good, 1.
Domestic circumstances.—Good in all cases.
Breastfed, 9. Bottle fed, 7. Breast and supplementary, 3.
Consumption of milk.—One pint or more daily, 15; school milk
only, 3; little milk, 1.
Cod Liver Oil or Malt and Oil given during part of the year.—
Yes, 14; no, 5.