Las enfermedades dentales en la América Latina

Abstract

The basic general problem can be reduced to simple terms: dental caries is quite as prevalent in the young and growing population of Latin America as it is in people of the United States. The need thus created is not being met, and cannot be met fully by treatment, because there are too few dentists in most areas. When and if dental caries is broght under a measure of control our experience in the United States is apt to be repeated - that periodontal disease must be managed as well as dental caries if the typical adult is to retain a functional natural dentition through his middle and later years

This is a dynamic situation and the outcome is far from hopeless. Each new water supply can be fluoridated; in fact, at least 43 of the 191 community supplies treated by sand filtration are fluoridated today. There is reason to hope that periodontal disease will be lessened as standards of nutrition rise. Beyond such things as these there is both hope and promise in the intelligent and vigorous programs of training, of health education, of the application of known preventive measures and the development of new ones current in the Americas. Some of us may be priviledged to help in these efforts. All of us will benefit from the results(AU)