The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-24
A PROGRESSIVE OPPORTUNITY
 FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN

BY MRS. J. E. REID.

Never before has so much attention been paid to the preservation of health. This is in recognition of the fact that the human structure, like a machine, must be in perfect repair before the best service can be rendered. Science has fought the mosquito and shut out the fly and now right in the midst of scientific precaution We have recently established in the city great and broad work that will be of much benefit to children of the communi- ty, and attract the attention of the pa rents to an often neglected feature of child training.
 The Jefferson County Dental association has installed in the Paul IIayne school of this city free dental dispensary." With the opening of the schools begin the CO., operation of the dentists of the city to protect the health and life of her chil- dren.
 "The care of the teeth is an important factor in the care of the child. The men tai and physical efficiency of school chill dren can be greatly aided by the proper care of the mouth and teeth. The condi- ton of the teeth is tell tale as tot diet. They are guards which stand at the gate way to the body, ready to divide the food into manageable portions, to bring peace of mind and healthful bodily activity. Health is needed for great industrial pro- duction.'
 These facts were considered by pr. lessen of Strassburg, in Alsace. His discoveries as to the real need of careful attention to dental hygiene led to the development of the first dental clinic. So successful has been the practice on the Continent that six years ago Rochester, N. Y., installed the first Free Dental Dis pensary' in the United States. Now ther%5 are three equipped dispensaries in that city. This experiment has been so sue cessful that other states in the north have become active. But Birmingham is the first city in the south to place at the dis posal of school children the opportunity to receive such benefits. pr. C. D. Chiles, a young dentist of the city, who during the summer has attended the university preparing for the course, is employed by the Jefferson County Dental association and placed directly in charge of the of fee on the second floor of Paul Hayne school.
 This work will be under the supervision of five members of the association. con stituting a board of control, but the work throughout the city will be extended by the liberal cooperation of all the dentists Permission has been secured from the board of education to examine each pupil in all the city schools. Different dentists will be assigned to each school. A room to room visit will be made. chart of the condition of each mouth will be taken and condition defined. This will be turned over to, the teacher who re- ports to the parents, a public service that will reach the rich and the poor alike.
 There is nothing compulsory to result. Parents desiring to regard the informa- ton will consult their own dentist. Those unable to secure the necessary services for dental work can arrange with the principal of the school and thus the child will receive in routine the necessary treatment and dentistry absolutely free of any cost et the dispensary.
 This is most splendid opportunity for each child in the city to begin to i'm prove it's healthful conditions. phase