[Preventive dentistry programs in the schools]

Dental caries and gum disease may easily be prevented. Based on experiences extending over twenty years several preventive programs for school children can be offered and the one best suited for the local circumstances may be selected. Two types of dental auxiliaries have proved very useful to realize preventive programs on the level of communities and/or cantons, requiring costs of only 3 to 7 Swiss fracs per year and child. Considering the excellent results already available it should not be very difficult to obtain cooperation even of those communities who have not yet introduced any preventive programs.