Systemic Aspects of Precocious Advanced Alveolar Bone Destruction: Preliminary Report

Abstract

case finding adjunct in a program of venereal disease control. Dentists are key individuals in this program because of their particular awareness of dental anomalies. Dental inspections for the study dis­ cussed were done at the rate of ioo per hour. The rapidity and ease of this tech­ nic, by which large numbers were screened, are among its chief merits. Ex­ amination of 2,156 Negro school chil­ dren resulted in 69 diagnoses of Hutch­ inson teeth. Of these 69, 53 had blood tests, of which 13 had positive reactions for syphilis, a percentage of 24.5. The occurrence of Hutchinson teeth was proportionately higher in the older children (13 to 18 years) than in the younger children (6 to 11 years) of the series. This trend is interpreted as a quantitative reduction of congenital syphilis in recent years indicating in­ creased effectiveness of venereal disease control. However, congenital syphilis will constitute a public health problem for some time, and it is imperative that den­ tists, particularly those in the field of public health, remain alert to the con­ tribution they can make toward its con­ trol.