The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-19
THE DENTAL CORPS
Soldiers Teeth Properly Cared
For at Funston.
Good Teeth Are Very Important
to an Army.
LIEUT.. SKIDMORE IN CHARGE
As Camp Dental Surgeon He
Has Made Success.
In Eight Months Output OF
Work Is Doubled.
LIEUT., SkIDMORE IN CHARGE
(From Trench and Camp.)

(From Trench and Camp
The proper care of the teeth Is
recognized by the United States army
as one of the highly important factors
in the training Of a soldier. One of
the most efficient plants in the coun-
try for the care of the teeth Is the
dental unit at Camp Funston IN
charge of Lieut.. W. G. Skidmore, camp
dental surgeon.
Camp Funston's dental units are to
be found in buildings $40 and lilo.
and at these two buildings all of the
work on soldiers teeth is performed.
When the organization is at full
strength the force will consist of nine
ty dental officers and ninety assistants.
Work More Than Doubled.
In the last eight months with rear
raugemeut OF the dental work, the out
put of work and handling of patients
has more than doubled. AT the pres
ent time an average OF $50 cases are
treated each day by the two dental
units.
As the new men arrive at camp a
complete survey IS made and a record
of each man is taken. They are classed
in three classes, the first being those
who need no dental work, second
those who need slight work, but not
urgent, and third those who need i'm
mediate attention. AS the men are
assigned to companies a record of
those neSulnS Work Is kept ana tHey
are ordered to report at designated
time. In this Kramer each soldier who
needs dental attention finds himself
in the dental chair before he leaves
camp.
Highest Dental Efficiency.
The dental units are equipped with
all the latest instruments to meet the
immediate necessary needs and to OBJ
tain the highest dental efficiency. The
place is kept spotlessly white at all
times and each dentist is equipped
with instruments that are sanitary.
At the present time forty-two outfits
are in operation and each outfit is in
charge of a skilled workman-men
who before they entered the service
We're in charge of dental offices with
big practice.
THE care of the teeth is an i'm
portant thing in the training Of a
soldier" says Lieut. Skidmore. "a
tooth that needs attention is a con-
slant source Of irritation and the man
SO afflicted cannot become efficient
in his work.
The government recognizing the
Importance of dentistry has recently
ordered that a dentist must be main
in the United States. Formerly a dem
fist was maintained for every 1000
men,"
Beautiful Grounds.
The grounds surrounding the dental
unit are very picturesque and are con.
sidered as among the most beautiful
in camp, They are kept clean at all
times and grass has been planted on
the area 1ich was formerly barren.
In front o. the main but ding a dental
fnsigne has been constructed from
stone gathered from the nearby hills,
and Is placed IN such a manner that
anyone passing can readily see what
organi jon is quartered there. Many
comp .nents on the beautiful appear
ance OF the unit have been received
eteran of Spanish War.
Lieut. Skidmore, camp dental sur
American war, being a private in COM
pany B, Thirteenth Minnesota regi-
ment. After the war he stayed in
Manila for six years, practicing dem
tistry
He came here after the completion
Of his course Of training at the medi-
cal officers training camp at Camp
Greenleaf, Fort Oglethorpe, Ca He
began at once to reorganize the dental
units and thru untiring effort has
brought it up to its present high state
of efficiency.
A splendid compliment was paid the
Camp Funston dental units last week
by Col John H. Hess, camp dental
surgeon at Camp Pike, who was here
holding examinations for promotions
In the dental corps. He said:
with the exception of Camp Pike,
the Camp Funston dental corps Is the
best equipped and the most efficient
OF any camp have had the pleasure
Of yisitipor