Dentists

Minneapolis likes conventions. She gives them assembly halls, sleeping quarters, bands, singers, victuals, drinks, newspaper attention. And conventions like Minneapolis. One hundred and sixty two have met there so far this year; 29 more are scheduled. Last week the American Dental Association was there, with 8,000 members. They enjoyed themselves, reheard old information, learned some things new.

Women Patients. In foyers, away from the mass meetings, the men discussed what to do with prudish or amorous women patients. The best conduct, by general approval, is to treat the woman impersonally, as if she were a mere head of beef. Let the prude bring in a companion; let the companion sit guard in an uncomfortable iron chair. Many women become amorous as they recline in the dentist's chair. The prudent dentist hurts such patients enough to make them forget their involuntary eroticism. All agreed that the practitioner who coos to female clients is a fool.

Women Dentists. Seven hundred women now practice dentistry in the U. S. Some 50 attended this convention. Until 1836 dental schools would not let women study.

Helpers. Dentists again complained of lack of trained laboratory technicians, office assistants, hygienists; urged women to learn those semi-professions; urged schools to provide courses; damned hastily, imperfectly educated mechanical dentists.

Cigarets. At cigaret-smoking dentists Dr. Isador Hirschfeld of Manhattan stared reprovingly. Cigaret smoking, he stated, has a deleterious effect on the tissues of the mouth, predisposing them to "trench mouth" (Vincent's Disease). He linked together the recent increase of this infectious disease with the increase of U. S. cigaret smoking (8,000,000,000 cigarets in 1910; 97,000,000,000 in 1927). Women cigaret smokers, according to him, are falling sick in more & more numbers. Kissing spreads the disease. But more usual than smoking or kissing as predisposing causes are fatigue, systemic disease, dental irregularities, insufficient chewing, lack of hygiene, injury to gums.

Unclean Mouth. "Any mouth that is not given intelligent care is unclean. An unclean mouth is one that retains decayed teeth, deposits on the teeth, diseased roots. Bacteria are starved by cleansing the mouth and the tissues are fed by stimulating the circulation which brushing gives."--Dr. Frederick Bricker of Hollywood, Calif. Results of unclean mouths: "Anemia, appendicitis, gastritis, nephritis, cystitis, myocarditis, iritis, encephalitis, gastric ulcers and a nasty disposition."

Decay. Nineteen out of 20 school children in North America, England, Germany and Switzerland, have decayed teeth, an estimate indicates. In some places every child is suffering.

Jaw Power. Teeth are slightly loose in the jaws. They swivel and play a trifle. They need exercise. Industrious chewing is the best exercise. Most people, who pay attention to their health, know this. Few, however, know that they must put at least 1,700 pounds of pressure into each day's biting, chewing. Dr. Thomas Hartzell of Minneapolis says so. Thorough mastication requires 5,000 pounds of pressure. A person who eats properly uses enough strength daily to lift a 7-passenger motor car.