CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16422, 16 January 1919, Page 2

CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

MEDICAL AND DENTAL TREATMENT IN SCHOOLS. Medical and dental treatment for school children was a. subject dealt with in a resolution passed by the New Zealand Educational Institute on Tuesday. In this connexion Mr J., C. Webb, 13.A., moved; "That with a view of ensuring bolter health of medical and dental inspection be followed by medical and dental treatment; the Education Board shall have power to work in co-opcration with the Public Health Department and the education committees with the local Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, assistance to bo given to parents in necessitous cases." Mr Webb said that what- was wanted was that no child should suffer in health because of the inability of tho parent to pay for its medical treatment. Some fresh provision should bo inserted in the Public Health Act so that compulsory attendance for treatment would be made by each child. Tho motion was carried without furI tlior. discussion.

Speaking on the subject of dental treatment for school children at the afternoon session of the conference, Mr F. Armstrong said: If you insist on dentally clean, schools then you must supptv the means to make them clem. No ehild ever asked to be born, and some parents with plenty of this world's goods might refuse to have their children's teeth attended to. This is unfair to the child and a very serious menace to', his or her classmates. Education has to be freo before it could be compulsory. You must legislate for the child 110 matter how ignorant and pig-headed its paronts may lie. Dr. McNamara, years ago had this experience. On remonstrating with a woman for feeding her baby on pork and gin ho was angrily told: "I know far more about it than a youth like you, for haven't I had eleven and buried nine." Parents would readily nay their family dentists the fees when they knew that even- caro is taken to eliminate those ideal bacteria incubators. hollow teeth, and so render their children much more immune from epidemics and diseases of all sorts.