Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-04-20
Dental Education OF The Child.
BY DR.. HOPKINS GIBSON.

The dental education of the child in
wolves four factors First, dental educa-
ton OF the dentist; second, of The moth
er; third, OF the teacher; fourth, OF the
child. For number OF years the dertal
profession has realized the necessity OF
proper instruction TO the public in oral
hygiene, the anatomy, nerve and blood
supplies, functions OF the teeth and ad-
joining parts, and their relations to other
parts of the body. Make it necessary
that the mouth should be kept clean; but
only from experience can any one truly
realize that some children'S mouths are in
such filthy and unhealthy condition,
such as teeth decayed, assesses and
mouths full OF diSease-Spreading microbes,
some OF them being the most contagious
and infectious-in fact, the cause OF many
children being dull in their studies can
otter be traced to bad teeth. Therefore
il is important that teeth defects should
be corrected at an early age, and this
should be especially recognized by pa
rents and teachers. Many parents, though
seemingly interested in the health and
welfare of their children in all other re-
spects, neglect this most important duty.
The child not up to the average in the
class, or who suffers from toothache, ear
ache, weak digestion, epilepsy, headache
and physical breakdown, often owes his
ills to some defective tooth or teeth.
Now, wish you TO understand that it
is not my intention TO pass iudgmentupon
the methods adopted by the teachers in
the schools but when physical injury IS
likely TO occur as a result OF methods that
are not employed, the medical and dental
professions should insist upon such treat
ment being adopted as will prevent in
furious results in school life. When we
consider that the destiny OF this nation
will be committed TO those who are now
in its schools, that happy and useful
life and peaceful conscience depend
upon the health of the individual, II is
important that every effort should be put
forth 10 prevent physical degeneracy as
far as possible during the years OF ply
Biological growth, which are the years OF
school life. A child should not be al
| lowed TO drift down the stream OF life to
physical insufficiencY-the teacher should
come 10 his rescue in any moral, mental
or physical defects which have been &C
CURED or inherited. The great idea I'M
DERIVING all instruction should be TO INT
and stimulate the scholar according TO
his or her Individual ability. This re-
quireS that parents and teachers should
be properly educated along hygienic
lines, that they may lead the child into a
healthier and happier life.
Granting that you would not have sui
ficient knowledge TO diagnose case, yet
you would be aware OF physical wrong.
Now you will say, how are we as teach
ers TO accomplish this? How are we to
create sufficient interest among the chill
dren to have them clean their teeth and
have them receive the proper and neces-
sary treatment from the dentist? In re-
| ply would say that in many States den
fists are employed by the States for that
very purpose, and system OF dental ex-
aminations OF the children in the schools
is the result. SO far this State has not
adopted such system, but will assure
you that it is only question OF time until
we will have free examinations oil the
mouths OF school children. When the
dentist prepares chart OF the mouth ex-
amined and presents one to the mother
and one to the teacher Of the child, they
can see the true condition OF the mouth
and have the detects, if any, corrected.
II the mouths OF the children could be
Systematically examined, and instructions
given and enforced with regard to the
intelligent use of the toothbrush and an
tiseptic solutions, the death rate OF this
country would be materially lessened, and
a stronger and more vigorous race result
in consequence Of these prophylachc
measures.