DENTAL INSPECTION 



employment of two dentists, one of whom was on duty each week- 

 day from 2 to 5 p.m. These men were paid at the rate of $50 

 a month. This expense was met by Mr. Lomb. Since that time 

 two other clinics have been established in two of the public 

 schools. 



In New York City there are 17 dental clinics. Fourteen 

 of these are connected with general dispensaries or dental colleges 

 and treat both adults and children; the other three are independent 

 and are exclusively for school children. 



In 1907 the Children's Aid Society of New York opened a 

 clinic for the treatment of children enrolled in its schools. This 

 clinic was so successful that another was established in 1909. The 

 society meets the expense of equipment and maintenance, and 

 members of local dental societies give their services. 



In January, 1910, through the generosity of Judge Peter 

 T. Barlow and several of his friends, a free dental clinic was opened 

 to care for New York City school children whose parents are too 

 poor to pay for dental treatment. Two dentists are employed and 

 are on duty every afternoon from Monday to Friday inclusive, 

 and on Saturday mornings. The board of health supplies a nurse 

 to assist the dentists and to instruct the children in the care of 

 the teeth. 



In the year 1909, the work was begun in Cleveland, Ohio, 

 and in Reading, Pennsylvania, and both cities have been leaders in 

 demonstrating its value and contributing to its technique. 



From these early beginnings the movement for dental 

 inspection spread rapidly over the United States until in 1911 

 some 198 cities reported that such inspection was being carried 

 on in their local schools. This does not mean, however, that the 

 work has been in every case of the type under consideration. It 

 frequently means only that the local medical inspector examines 

 the children's teeth and advises them to secure dental treatment. 

 However, dental inspection carried on by dentists was being con- 

 ducted in 89 American cities at the close of the year 1911. 



The number of cities in each division carrying on dental 

 inspection and the number of cities where this work is done by 

 dentists are shown in the following table: 



121 



