Show Dental head attacks sale scale of candy sandy and pop fop in schools The president of th the s American Dental Association Wednesday recommended stopping the sale of candy and sweetened soft drinks in our nations nation's schools as a major step stepin in preventing dental disease in children Dr Lynden M. M Kennedy of Dallas said it is irrational for schools to provide the necessary instruction on good eating habits and at the same time make it so easy for students to ignore this and get a quick sugary treat of a candy bar or sugared beverage MANY CHILDHOOD dental problems can be traced to poor nutrition he said Because of this the dental profession feels strongly that schools should not contribute to the problem by allowing children easy access to sugar-rich sugar roods and beverages through vending machines Dr Kennedy said The dental profession is interested not ot on only in oral health but also in total health of children The dental problems we see in children as a result of poor diets are frequently a reflection of poor general health TilE THE DENTAL leader noted that health and nutrition studies are included in most school curriculums It is only through education in matters pertaining to health both personal and public that we can hope to develop effective preventive programs against disease Among the reasons which Dr Kennedy noted for specifically eliminating sweets from vending vending ven venN ding machines in the schools are the following Sugar is a major cause of tooth decay Although it is not practical to expect children children or or adults for that matter matter to to eliminate all sugar-rich sugar foods from their diets at least make sure that children are not snacking all allday allday allday day on candy o or soft drinks snatched from vending machines School should be the place to develop a good Understanding understanding understanding un un- of nutrition and to build good dietary habits Sugar-rich Sugar products in vending machines compete with nutritious foods offered in school cafeterias THE TilE RANGE LONG-RANGE solution to the problems I of dental disease lies in prevention prevention prevention tion he said While much progress in prevention has been made in recent years through the fluoridating of public water supplies the professional application application application ap ap- ap- ap of fluorides and the teaching of plaque control through careful brushing and flossing of the teeth more needs to be done Specific attention should be given to educating the public especially children to proper nutrition relating to dental health he said Dr Kennedy was in Salt Lake City to address the annual session of the Utah dental Association meeting |