F. Dental Three factors resistance of incorporated the in are significant tooth, the tooth in primarily related surface, 2) consumed, and 3) bacteria in the mouth. flouride intakes and initiating generally a to tooth the decay: amount the quantity and of 1) the flouride type of sugar Marshallese children have very low high sucrose significantly increased incidence of tooth decay. intake producing a In addition, the typical attitude toward a cavity is not to seek help until the pain has become unbearable. Though these factors operate throughout the Marshalls, the high sugar consumption is greater in the urban centers of Majuro and Ebeye. The DMF-S ratio (a standard measure of dental disease) was calculated as 6.16 among school children on Majuro during 1966-68. to 3.68 by 1977. This had improved The exact reason for this improvement, which reflects Majuro children only, is not known. To date no coordinated evaluation of dental health on the outer islands has been done. Previous attempts at dental public health, through education, flouride mouth workers, and early detection and treatment, have been severely hampered by lack of manpower and finances. G. Nutritional The diet of the Marshallese people living in the outer atolls consists mainly of coconut, fish, breadfruit, pandanus and rice. taro and arrowroot make up a smaller part of the diet. Bananas, papayas, The percentage of the diet made up of each food type will vary depending on location and season. Naidu et. al. (1980) reported that coconuts constitute up to 58% of the diet and fish constitute up to 36%. Vegetables are being added to the diet by some people who are exposed to them and like them. School children who get two meals, breakfast and lunch, plus a snack, are being introduced to some of these in order to meet U.S.D.A. recommendations for a balanced meal and this introduction is leading to an acquired taste for more vegetables. The diet of the people living in the population centers of Majuro and Ebeye is largely imported and consists of purchased rice, canned foods, and flour and sugar, since they have a cash economy and access to a greater variety. People now living on Enewetak Atoll are also eating imported food given to them by U.S.D.A. There are two reasons for this program. First, the islands that are inhabited were nearly completely denuded of vegetation during military operations. After 15 the resultant clean-up and_ the