Milford chronicle., 1920-11-19
DENTAL DISPENSARY

DeQldl ulSpeuSdIleS nave Dteu eo'
tablished and endowed by wealthy
men in several of our cities because
some of these men realize the need
of the education of the public to an
appreciation of the tremendous ad-
vantages that come from clean
mouth and good teeth.
ANY movement that has for its OBJ
| ject the improvement of the physical
condition of man naturally increases
the efficiency of the individual and
tends to prolong life. There is abso-
lutely no question but that proper at
| tention to the mouth and teeth Oc-
complish these results.
Realization Of the fact that the most
permanent good would come to fu-
ture generations by the education of
children from early childhood, and of
the value of proper attention to their
teeth and the conservation of health
were the uppermost thoughts in the
mind of Mr.. George Eastman when
he founded and endowed the ROches-
ter Dental Dispensary of Rochester,
N. Y.
After much careful investigation
and thought as to the needs and val
ue, and to the greatest good that
might come by the early attention
and education of the child to the value
or dental service, this shrewd, far-see-
ing business man decided to estab-
lish an institution for the benefit of
the children of Rochester.
The building cost S400, and an en-
dowment of $750,000 has been pro-
vided.
Definite rules for treatment have
been established, based upon the
weekly wage of the family. Emergen-
cy cases are treated gratis, but a nom
inal charge of 5 cents is made for
each visit for treatment, so the child
will be made to feel that the service
is worth something, and to place all
children on an equal footing, and not
to make them feel that they are OBJ
jects of charity.
The institution was planned to CO.
ordinate all its activities so that
something might be worked out to
prove the value of preventive dentis-
try.
1t is planned thru the education of
mothers to have them bring their ba-
bies to the dispensary as soon as the
first tooth erupts. Treatment is then
followed up until the child is 16 years
of age. This scheme affords opportu-
mites for experimentation and study
which could not be obtained in any
other way. 1t is hoped that the re-
suit will be standardization of
methods and materials that will be of
tremendous benefit to coming gener-
ations. The retention in good con-
dition of the baby teeth until they
are forced out by the permanent
teeth causes the permanent teeth to
come in regular and free from decay.
The child that is educated to care for
the teeth until 16 can be depended
upon to continue the proper care of
the mouth and will require little sub
sequent dental attention.
The removal of diseased tonsils
and adnoids and operations for cleft
palate and harelip viii viii be important iinpur ttaIit
of the institution. All of
the abnormal trouble of childhood will
receive the most expert medical and
1entol attention that is available. Mr..
Eastman has not spared time, money
)r thought to provide place in which
% carry on remedial and research
work, which will be for the good of
he children, not only of Rochester, !
)ut for children everywhere.
The work is done by licensed den
lists, thirty-three operators being now
y of the ordinary dental operations,
he thought of preventive dentistry is
lways in mind.
The dental operators and hygien-
SITS from the dispensary made the
ounds of the schools in Rochester
vice last year. The first time the
eeth of 1864 children were cleaned
nd the second time 1850.
A school lecturer is employed who
elivers illustrated lectures on oral
ygiene and other health subjects.
ectures were delivered to $4,000 chill
ren last year.
An intense educational propaganda
being conducted. This is necessary
/ any community. There has been
Oticeable improvement in attendance
:. classes and a considerable reduc-
on in failures to pass to higher
rades because of the correction of
entail troubles. Hygienic tooth
rushes have become fashionable In
miles where there had been none
: where one was used by the entire
mily.
In many cases the education of the
lid to appreciate the comfort and
'nefit of clean mouth has resulted
an improved condition in other di-
ctions.
No vo,, hava cotnathino, xyo,, don,4