DENTAL CARIES IN THE PANAMA CANAL ZONE

¹ Canal Zone Health Department and University of Cincinnati

From the data presented it is evident that a serious caries situation exists in in the Canal Zone. Caries rates in the Zone are sharply and significantly higher than in most parts of northern United States where it has usually been considered to be at its worst. It is significantly worse in American children born in the Zone than in those migrating there from the United States.

Among possible causative factors in the situation, drinking water composition should be given first place. Caries rates are highest in those American cities deriving their water supply from river or lake sources, such water being low in both total hardness and fluorine content. The fact that the water supply for the Canal Zone is taken entirely from Gatun Lake may thus be of significance. Only in certain northern cities using river or lake water (Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Portland, Me.) does the caries rate rise as high as is here reported for the Canal Zone.

Discussion is also offered of the possible part vitamin and mineral deficiencies in food may play in the Zone caries situation, and also the possible role of tropical debility from the heat itself.