a? ~ F. Dental Three factors resistance of the incorporated are significant tooth, in primarily related in the tooth surface, intakes and generally to the a Marshallese children high sucrose Significantly increased incidence of tooth decay. 1) the amount] of flouride 2) the quantity and consumed, and 3) bacteria in the mouth. flouride initiating tooth dbcay: intake e of sugar rave very low [producing a In addition, the typical attitude toward a cavity is not to seek help until the pagn has become unbearable. Though these factors operate throughout the Marshalls, the high Sugar consumption is greater in the urban centers of Majuro a d Ebeye. The DMF-S ratio (a standard measure of dental disease) w s 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, w ich reflects Majuro children only, is not known. To date no coordinated dental health on the outer islands has been done. Previoug valuation of attempts at dental public health, through education, flouride mouth workefs, and early detection and treatment, have been severely hampered by Jack off manpower and finances. G. Nutritional The diet of the Marshallese people living in the outer at 11s consists mainly of coconut, fish, breadfruit, pandanus and rice. taro and arrowroot make up a smaller part of the diet. Bana aS, papayas, The per diet made up of each food type will vary depending on locatio Naidu et. al. (1980) reported that coconuts constitute up diet and fish constitute up to 36%. Vegetables are being adde by some people who are exposed to them and like them. ntage of the and season, 58% of the to the diet School children who get two meals, breakfast and lunch, plus a snack, are being j|ntroduced 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 morq vegetables. The diet of the people living in the population centers f Majuro and Ebeye is largely imported and consists of purchased rice, cann d foods, and flour and sugar, since they have a cash economy and access variety. People now living on Enewetak Atoll are also eating given to them by U.S.D.A. mported food There are two reasons for this pro ram. the islands that are inhabited were nearly completely denuded during. military Oo a greater operations. After 15 the resultant First, f vegetation cleanqup and_ the