Notes on dental practice / by Henry C. Quinby.

  • Quinby, Henry C.
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes on dental practice / by Henry C. Quinby. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    submits to such attentions as a matter of obedience at first, and constant use creates the habit and maintains the practice after mere unreasoning obedience has ceased to be a controlling power; thus bridging over the period between the per- formance of the act in obedience to authority, and the continuance of the same from a sense of duty consequent upon the development of the reason- ing powers. The daily use of the tooth-brush in the child’s mouth prevents decay, at least to a certain extent; but it does much more than this,—it creates a want, a feeling that neglecting to brush the teeth is neglect of personal cleanliness, which feeling, if it is not developed in early childhood, will not be developed at all, or, at any rate, not until it is too late for the teeth to have the advantage of care while they need it most. If parents themselves are unable to make the needful examination of the child’s mouth, the family doctor, or the dentist, should be asked to do it; though I am very decidedly of opinion that the examinations should, at least, be commenced at home, in order that no idea of fear should be associated with the performance of this duty. Children will learn much more readily to take the needful care of their teeth when the parents show a real interest in teaching them to do so ; and the parents themselves will learn by experi- ence that it is best to avoid the absurd practice of speaking and acting as though the attentions of the dentist were something to be dreaded and prepared for as if life itself were at stake.
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