MEDICAL INSPECTION OF SCHOOLS 



progress of dental deterioration rather than to cure the already 

 existing conditions. The problem is to administer a limited force 

 and limited funds so as to do the greatest permanent good to the 

 greatest possible number of children. The solution has been 

 found through beginning with the youngest children and, after 

 once treating a child, assuming the responsibility for keeping 

 its permanent teeth in good condition. This plan makes it 

 possible to advance the age limit of caring for the children annually 

 by one year, and in a few years will make it possible to include 

 all, the oldest as well as the youngest. The basis of this plan is 

 the proposition that it is better to clean and care for the teeth of 

 nine children who have one decayed tooth apiece than it is to 

 spend the same time caring for one child with nine decayed teeth. 

 While this policy results in leaving many serious cases almost 

 uncared for, it secures the maximum advantage for the minimum 

 expenditure and will make it possible to cope with the entire 

 problem within a few years. 



OTHER COUNTRIES 



Dental inspection is well under way in Wales and notably 

 good work has been done in Scotland, especially in the town of 

 Dunfermline. Dental clinics have been established for school 

 children in several of the cities of Switzerland, Austria, and France, 

 and the latest report from Russia tells of the establishment of 

 nine dental clinics in the city of St. Petersburg. 



DENTAL INSPECTION IN THE UNITED STATES 



After the pioneer work carried on temporarily in Rochester, 

 New York, a quarter of a century ago, the city again became a 

 pioneer by establishing the first American school dental clinic 

 in the modern sense of the term in 1905. This was made possible 

 by the public spirited enterprise of Mr. Henry Lomb, who person- 

 ally gave $600 and was instrumental in securing an equal amount 

 from local merchants with which to purchase a $1,200 equipment. 

 Premises for the clinic were supplied by the Public Health Asso- 

 ciation and work was at first carried on two afternoons each week. 

 A little later there was a re-organization which resulted in the 



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