The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-09-12
A NEW PHILANTHROPY,
DENTAL CLINICS IN THE sLUMs or
THE GREAT CITIES.

rhe Movement is an Entirely New Factor
Along PhilanthropIc Lines in This
Country-FIGht Against the superstI-
tious Fear OF Dentistry.
Late in the winter of this year the
photographic and Chicago dental So
cieties, III conjunction with the Blu.
reau of Associated Charities, decided
to establish under their auspices n
number of dental clinics in the poor
est and most conGested quarters of the
city, says the Record of that city.
The Bureau of Charities, having ten
district offices representing neighbor-
hoods where poverty and suffering
abound, offered to cooperate by Civ
ing space upon its premises and furn-
ishing the necessary clerical assis-
tants. In this manner no expense
whatever il incurred in connection
with the clinics for administrative
purposes.
The movement is an entirely new
factor along philanthropic lines in
this country. Possibly no other char
ity organization has helped to insti-
tute, encourage and assist in it's
usually methodical way any similar
undertaking. In Germany tue work
has been inaugurated in several cities,
but upon this side Of the Atlantic
Chicago occupies unique position in
the new phase of benevolence. DIR.
Carl L. Gramm, Chairman of the
Committee on Organization for the
dental societies, has been "A Jealous
worker, and it is owing to his efforts
that four district offices of the Bureau
OF Charities hold fully equipped elm
les, with others in prospect.
The staff is composed of dentists of
repute, who, although very busy with
their private practice, still find "A few
hours to spare each week in good
cause. No students are in any way
connected with the enterprise. Every
poor child accorded the privileges OF
the clinics receives the same con-
scientious, skilled treatment rs would
be privately bestowed upon the more
favored child of fortune. The doctors
are painstaking, always making a
strenuous effort to save rather than
extract teeth; and this, under existing
conditions, requires an unlimited
amount of patience on their part.
Fundamentally, the idea is to oper-
ate the clinics in behalf of the younger
generation; to bestow upon them
such benefits as they do not seem
| able to procure elsewhere. 1t is
practically impossible to expect fam.
lily of six, with an income of from s.
to So q week, 20 provide the necessi.
ties of life-shelter, fuel, food and
clothipg-and yet be in position to
afford the luxury of dentistry. Such
an extravaganza is not considered as
! properly belonging to the needs of a
family, and ordinarily no attention is
given the teeth until the suffering be-
comes unbearable. Then usually de-
! cay has progressed so far that extrac-
tion is the only means of relief. One
! little girl Of fifteen summers confessed
| that although she did not remember
| the time when she was free from pain
the idea of visiting dentist had never
! been entertained, because there wa.
no money at home for such purposes
a nominal fee of ten cents for filling
and five cents for extraction is being
| SA''A SOU hAltoS lutIb are uERCul
reasons why even these small con
siderations should be waived. The
objects of the fee nre to discourage
the idea of free giving, with its usua
| demoralizing tendencies, and to defray
the expense of materials used. The
amounts received so far, however,
have been exceedingly low, averaging
about one cent for each patient. This
has been due to tho large number oil
treatments required prior to filling
| for which no fee is charged. The need
OF every applicant is paramount, and
this principle is followed despite the
lack of earnings. Owing to the
absence, therefore, Of present income,
| the movement would be rather uncer.
tain were it not for the kindly Offices
Of the Bureau of Associated Charities.
This organization, in furnishing space,
providing clerical work, consulting
records, making Investigations and
keeping histories, lends active and
! valuable assistance.
Physicians contend that more on
! less disease IS occasioncd by the
presence Of an undue decomposition
Of the teeth, the consequent poisons
| proving injurious 10 the system. II
can scarcely be considered as other.
! wise than beneficial 20 provide GER
tain benefits for the young, enabling
| them TO preserve a higher standard OF