These quotations represent fairly the position now being taken by almost if not quite all of the physicians and dentists who have, through their energy and solicitude caused the development of the present movement for preservation of the teeth of the rising generation through repair and mouth hygiene. All efforts in this direction deserve the highest commendation, but anyone who gives much thought to this subject, and who is familiar with modern research in the field of nutrition, must come to the conclusion that, valuable as is this movement for the welfare of the children of the present day, it falls lamentably short of being a comprehensive program from the standpoint of the race and the nation. But these quotations from leading authorities give a true picture of the present day situation in preventive dentistry. In England and America we are in the stage of progress where repair and cleanliness are goals toward which school authorities and parents are being urged to work. This is essentially an attractive superstructure without a firm foundation. In its present form this movement for the preservation of the nation's teeth is founded upon a plan which will call for more and ever more investment of time, money and human effort with no prospect of relief from the burden. This is because it ignores the developmental factor. The only logical and far-seeing policy is to inquire into the cause of the poor quality and vulnerability of the present generation, and to take up the task of instituting reforms in our habits of living which will free the next generation from the defects from which we are now suffering.

Present activities in relation to dental prophylaxis may well be likened to the institution of a rigid quarantine in an epidemic of typhoid fever brought about by an infected milk supply, but without making any effort to check the delivery of the dangerous milk. We should not be getting at the root of the evil. In the prevention of dental caries, the only effective measure is to adopt a policy which will result in the formation of a dental mechanism possessing its own barriers of defence. This involves the developmental factor, which those now out of infancy no longer have the opportunity to profit by, but we can easily, if we apply the scientific principles of nutrition to the daily life of the nation, leave to our children's children the priceless heritage of freedom from the physical suffering which we ourselves must bear, not only from mouth discomfort, but from rheumatism, heart disease and other ailments having their origin in infected teeth. When dietary reforms are instituted sufficiently effective to bring about this result, and when in addition the dental clinic is established in the public schools on a scale adequate to meet the present day need for repair, we shall have a comprehensive dental program which will in due time accomplish the great objective - the eradication of dental caries. This is, however, but one of a number of most fundamental achievements to be realized by effectively carrying out such a program.