The Teeth and the Gums
Ste,—This society, which has as its chief object the study of the teeth in relation to their supporting structures, gum and bone, both in health and disease, would like to ask your good offices in a matter of paramount public importance. Reports from the School Dental Service and the Ministry of Health bear out with monotonous regu- larity the fact .that dental disease remains rampant, and that we have not, and cannot hope to have for many years, the manpower to deal with it. In addition to the obvious discomforts of dental disease, its effect on general health can be-far-reaching: It is-our considered opinion that's- " prevention rather than cure " policy is vital to the health of the nation, and for this reason we are anxious to do every- thing possible to educate the public to care for its teeth and gums.
A sad commentary on the above situation is provided, by the fact that the average consumption per person of tooth-paste (or other types of dentifrice) is at present only two tubes or their equivalent per annum. Two years ago the Treasury, with admirable enlighten- ment, repealed the purchase-tax on toothbrushes. Yet purchase-tax of 33} per cent. still applies to all types of dentifrice, yielding revenue of £11 million a year. Surely this is an anomaly.
We fully recognise the fact that revenue has to be maintained, and that, in preparing the next Budget, the Chancellor has to consider very many -claims. May we, nevertheless, suggest that continued tax on toothpaste and dentifrice presents a most important case for con- sideration. In these days when the rising cost of living is a matter of ever-increasing concern for every housewife, this tax inevitably acts as a deterrent to buying these essentials to good mouth-hygiene; and, in effect, encourages neglect. Through your columns we should like to ask the authorities concerned to give their most earnest con- sideration to repeal of this tax in the forthcoming Budget, and thereby greatly contribute to the future health of the nation.—Yours faithfully, G. H. LEATHERMAN.
President, The British Society of Periodontology.
53 Portland Place, W.I.
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