The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-21
What T1he Doctor Say BY DR. s. J. CRUMBINE, GENERAL EXECUTIVE
 AMERICAN CHILD HEALTH ASSOCIATION

broken his arm. However, I was able to assure her that the arm was only wrenched and that a few | days rest would cure the damage. Az I was getting ready to leave, another, younger child came into | the hall, crying and holding his cheek. My tooth hurts again, Mother" he sobbed. Well, you know what told you, Billy" re- piled his mother briskly, "I'm afraid I'll have to take you to the dentist this afternoon and see what he can do."
 Billy's howls increased. "No, No!" he walled; 'I don wanna gv! l He'll hurt me like he did last time!" When was the last time ?" inquired, out of curiosity. "Oh, about three years ago.; replied the mother. Billy had to have tooth pulled, and he's been scared of the dentist ever since. And don't really blame him, do you, Doc | tor?"
 What could I say? If Billy's mother had ever heard of regular dental examinations, or of child psychology, it hadn't made the least impression on her. did my best to assure Billy that the den- tist was friend and not an en- emy, but I could hardly hope to do | much to erase the unfortunate ideas his mother had so thought. lessly built up.
 Later in the day I met Mrs Johnson and six year old Rober. on Main Street. Robert was talk ing away as usual, and as l can.e up with them l heard him say, "l l wish l could have little mirror like that, Mother" "Getting vain in your old age, Robert?" I uslte l. pausing for q few minutes chat
 Robert was most indignant and eA. plained that 1t was the dentist !, l mirror he meant--the little one on stick that the dentist put in yout mouth so he could see all round 1 | apologized for my mistake, of course, and asked how he>had en, joyed his visit to the dentist. .: like him a lot;" said Robert, "oe- | cause when he'd fixed my tooth he let me look at his-oh, you know -all his gadgets, and he told me what they were for"
 It appeared that Mrs Johnson had taken Robert for his regular lLental examination, and that the dentist had found one small cav.t that needed filling. Robert has know nthe dentist ever since baby hood. All of the Johnson children have their teeth examined at six months intervals, which means that te dentist can correct anything that needs correcting before it grows to serious proportions. Con- | sequently, not one of the Johnson children has gone through the fear l and suffering that little Billy is now facing.
 As matter of fact the Johnson children have particularly good teeth. This, I think, is due chiefly to two things. In the first place there are the regular visits to the | dentist. And in the second place Mrs Johnson provides well regu- lated diet, with plenty of milk. fruits and vegetables. the finest builders of good teeth and bones. She knows that sound, weil-pre- served teeth depend on proper food rather than on mere cleaning in order to resist decay. But she has taught the children to keep their teeth as clean as the rest of their bodies. Not only do they brush their teeth at least once day but they also keep their tooth brushes clean by washing them in hot. soapy water. They have been taught that an unclean toothbrush is danger rather than an aid to health.
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