The Washington herald., 1913-07-08
Pupils. TO HEAR
Of THEIR Teeth
DR.. VIC. KiIlinger, Dental In
spector in Schools, Argues
for Further Inspection.
SUGGESTS STEREOPTICON
Would Have Illustrated Lectures on
Oral Hygiene Made Part
of Course.

The introduction Of the stereopticon
into the curriculum Of the schools OF the
District as means Of instruction IN oral
hygiene and of improving the general
condition Of health is advocated by DR..
w. C. KilInger. dental inspector OF the
public white schools Of the CITY, Dr.
killinger yesterday told OF shocking
conditions found by him during his in
spections in the schools, and he sug-
gested that the proper care of the teeth
should be taught to the pupils. either by
means of stereopticon lectures or by
big signs bearing terse instructions for
the cure of the teeth that might be hung
in the schoolrooms.
Judging from what have seen and
heard since il appeared in your issue
of June q. 1873" DR.. Killinger remarked
to The Washington Herald's representa-
tive yesterday, my former interview in
reference to the conditions found as a
result of my inspection work in the local
white public schools during the school
year just closed has aroused some pub
lie interest in the subject, and i am glad
of The Herad's disposition to have con-
ditions thus disclosed further discussed.
The more publicity these deplorable con-
ditions are given the more hope there
may be of relief from them. In thus Civ
ing attention and space to the subject
The Herald is rendering the local public
distinct and commendable service.
Perhaps the most provoking and in
cxcusable features of the whole situa-
ton disclosed by my examinations We're
the discovery of SO many permanent
teeth missing and SO many teeth which
needed cleaning on account Of tartar,
green stain, or incipient pyorrhea: but,
if more excusable, none the less alarm
ing were the great numbers of neglected
cavities and irregular teeth-formations
found among these children.
These all argue a lack of public edu-
cation along these important lines The
dental profession Of today is doing great
public good by promulgating and teach
ing the perennial value and far-reaching
Importance of oral hygiene. or the hy-
.Irne of the mouth; but, in connection
WITH the dental-inspection of our public
schools. some advanced steps should be
taken b. the school authorities. operat-
ing through the school teachers, in the
direction ~ installing and arousing in
the pupils and their parents keen, &C
tive and more appreciative interest in
proper care of the teeth and in oral hy-
giene in their intimate and controlling
relations to life, health, and happiness
On earth.
Present Method Insufficient.
The discovery of so many permanent
teeth missing was mainly distressing,
since the most of them were six-year
molars, which a reputable, up-to-date,
modern dentist will never extract, If he
can possibly help doing SO, and which he
will manage in some way to replace, If he
is compelled for any reason to make an
extraction, for these same six-year mo-
lars are the very first of the permanent
. he rfalya
form the key. so to speak. of the
whole teeth arch, and their premature
removal seriously interferes with, if it
does not wholly distort and disarrange
the position and regularity of the whole
dental outfit when the other permanent
teeth put in their appearance later on.
Mouth examinations in our public
schools and having each child that is
examined provided with a card indi-
eating what work should be done
the present method-stops far short of
what is imperatively required along
such lines, if the best results are to
be accomplished. In addition to hav-
ing provided some effective means of
follow-up work, insuring the doing Of
the work indicated on these cards, ed
vocational efforts along the same lines
should be pursued in the schools.
illustrated lectures would serve
These might be delivered in the as
scmbly halls of the different school
buildings before the pupils, teachers.
and parents. They might be illustrated
by proper slides. or other means OF
demonstration, and based upon oral
hygiene or proper care of the mouth,
and teeth hygiene, or care of the teeth,
as a means of insuring health and
warding off disease. The results of
-nr11I Sh mn
only decided improvement in the gen.
eral health and physical condition of
th,. public school children of the city,
but greatly increased mental energy
and mental capacity among them.
Plan Is inexpensive.
But another method, very much sim
Pier and wholly inexpensive, might be
used with good results and without any
other preparation or aid than that of
having provided charts to be hung up
on the walls of the schoolrOpEls and
properly used by the several teachers III
connection with their school work. These
charts might be printed in large, bold
tyre on board paper and bear Instructive
legends-such, for instance, as these:
"A clean mouth prevents pain and ill.,
ness.
particles of food left between the
teeth cause them to decay.
"Unclean mouths breed disease germs
and spread contagion.
Neglected mouths cause bad breath, |
bleeding gums, and decayed teeth.
"A clean tooth never decays, and sourd
teeth beautify the face.
Coarse food, well chewed, saves the |
teeth and promotes health.
Neglected cavities in unclean mouths
are incubators of disease germs.
Disease germs from neglected teeth |
may be swallowed and poison the whole |
system, bringing on long train OF dis
orders and possibly death.
Always clean your teeth after eat
ing.
The Importance of looking after cav
tiles cannot be overestimated. There
are con slant da npers To health and even