MOBILE SURGERY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 123, 27 May 1942, Page 8

MOBILE SURGERY

MODERN EQUIPMENT

LOCAL PRACTITIONERS' GIFT

First of its type in cither New Zealand or Australia, a complete army mobile dental .surgery and laboratory has been presented to the New Zealand Dental Corps by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Dental Association. This dental vehicle, which has modern equipment and provides accommodation for one dental officer and two dental mechanics, was designed and constructed in Auckland. The funds for the vehicle were spontaneously subscribed by the members of the Auckland branch when they became aware of its necessity owing to the large number of units established in inaccessible parts of New Zealand. They realised that the Dental Corps represented, in a tangible way. the profession's war effort, and they were anxious that the corps should have every modern facility to carry out its duties. The dental treatment of the territorial force mobilised for the defence of New Zealand is being carried out in the field by the Dental Corps by means of mobile dental sections, each section being self-contained and with the necessary equipment and transport essential for mobility. The dental officers, orderlies and mechanics have to carry out their duties in tents or improvised shelters, and, during the winter months, working conditions are anything but ideal. The generous gii't from the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Dental Association assures that at least one of the sections has dry quarters in which to work. These compare favourably with the facilities of the camp dental hospitals, of the standing military camps, aitstations and naval establishments. It is to be regretted that there is only one instead of a dozen such vehicles, but the Dental Corps is more than grateful for this addition to its establishment, and has expressed its appreciation of the generous and practical contribution to the war effort by brother practitioners who cannot be spared from their civil occupation to serve with the armed forces.