There is a great difference in the obser vations o f various investigators regarding the prevalence of gingivitis in children. In postwar Italy, Schour and Massler1 reported a prevalence of 40 per cent in the 6 to 10 year age group. Day and Shourie2 reported a prevalence of as high as 99.4 per cent in the lower social level Indian children. However, this group in cluded individuals up to 20 years of age, who hardly can be considered children. The statistical data are of little signifi cance because of the types of groups studied. A report8 of gingivitis in London school children from 2 to 15 years of age indicates that there is an increase in prevalence with age, and at the age of 14, about 47 per cent had gingivitis, with about 31 per cent having slight evidence, and about 22 per cent having moderate to severe gingivitis. Zappler and Person,4 in a study of periodontal disease in chil dren, concluded: Consideration of such data indicates the necessity for a wide geographical survey of the incidence of periodontal disease in chil dren. It is evident that while serious perio dontal disease is not very common in this section of the United States, other areas throughout the world face a tremendous perio dontal problem insofar as their children are concerned. . . .