The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-01-14
URGES CARE OF TEETH
Health Department Bfames Dental
Neglect For Many nls--l'o Oper
Clinic in School.

Surprising statements concerning
The dangers to mind and bod, of ne
elected defective teeth are contained
in a bulletin issued recently by the
Health Department.
There is convincing evidence. the
bulletin asserts, that some cases of
lack of mental development and even
certain forms OF insanity are connec-
ts1 with imperfect teeth
But this is not all they do. TIE
department says that ''imperfcctly de
veioped, misplaced and decayeL teeth
are responsible for a number Of ills,
Of which the most conspicuous are
faulty development of the jaws aad
the face, malnutrition, various forms
OF indigestion and intestinal intoxi-
cation, assesses of the jaw and the
cavities of the bones of the face, In
flamation of the joints and other dis
tant parts of the body and heart dis
ease"
The bulletin was inspired by an
announcement of the equipment and
early opening of a dental clinic at
Public School No. 113, Federal and
Cater streets, Baltimore. 1t is an
elementary school for negro children
and has between 700 and 500 pupils.
.'Some years ago." the Health De-
partment says, ''acting upon the sug-
gestion of the school nurse, the pa
rents and the teachers club of this
school undertook to raise Honey to
purchase the equipment anil supplies
fol dental clinic. The idea was en-
couraged and fostered by the School
Board, which gave permission AID
set aside room for the purpose.
The money for the equipment, in.
Guiding the dental chair, the neces-
sary instruments and supplies and
plumbing was obtained through coli
tributions of the parents and an en-
tertainment given by the schoolchir
dren. The painting and other prep
arations of the dental room, with
the exception of putting in the
plumbing, were all done by the older
boys in the school. The fully equip
ped dental clinic was opened formal
ly last May by the Commissioner of
Health and representatives Of the
School Board.
THE professional work of the Eli
mic is to be contributed free of charge
by seven graduate colored dentists of
Baltimore. On account of their
work in connection with the draft it
was not possible for the dentists 10
begin their work at the opening of
the school this fall. That the clinic
will be put into active operation In a
few days is welcome news to all IN
terested in child welfare. The pro-
gressIve spirit on the part1af ah-run=
cerned in this work-parents, chill
dren, teachers, nurse and dentists
deserves all praise.
"It does not detract from the great
credit due to the Others to empha-
size the part played by the school
nuise in stimulating the others to
carry out the program. 1t is to be
hoped that the example ths' they
lave set will be followed in a nun ber
of other schools.
Few of us realize that modern
scientific dentistry is distinctly an
American product that had it's origin
in Baltimore and has had fay oIable
influence on the whole civilized
world. 1t is recognized generally
that the teeth of Americans are bet
ter cared for and preserved then the
teeth of any other people of western
civilization. The inspection Of the
teeth of the school children in many
parts of Baltimore. however, shows
serious destruction of these vita1 or
gans among a considerable number
of the pupils. There is no better
starting point than the teeth for be-
ginning the study of personal hy-
giene. The care of the teeth should
start from the first appearance OF
the milk teeth and should continue
during life"