Sir, - I read in your columns that thousands of children are waiting orthodontic assessment and treatment. Today as I write thousands more are lining themselves up for expensive orthodontic intervention in the future. These are the untold thousands of Irish children who have "dummy addiction", from soothers being constantly placed in their mouths without their permission. These soothers are a recognised cause of dental malocclusion (bad bite). Does anybody believe in prevention? - Yours, etc.,
Prof Denis G. Gill, Dept of Paediatrics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123, St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. Space Tourist