CARE OF TIE TEETH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1799, 11 July 1913, Page 5

CARE OF TIE TEETH.

IMPORTANT /PROPOSALS,

STATE DENTISTS FOR EACH CENTRE, / SYMPATHETIC MINISTER. The establishment of a system of Statl, dentistry : pas suggested by a deputation from tile Now Zealand Dental Associatioii, wln.ch interviewed the lion. Jus. Allen (Sinister lor Education) and the Hon. 1?.. 11. lihodos (Minister for Public Health), yesterday morning. Tho deputation was introduced by Mr. T. K. 11.1'., and' llr. J. A. Young, M.t., also, attended. .dr. Sulcy ilirected attention lo a. pain-l-'lilet entitled, "Gal's of the MVcLh/' published by ihe association, and said that. it was thought that it would be a fair thing to ask tho Public Health Department either to <umlerlako tho reprinting of' the pamphlet, or to pay for a sufficient, number of copies for circulation, throughout the Dominion. Dr. Cox (president) said that the association had conducted an examination of 10,000 children ditring tho last tow years, and had shown that TO. per cent, of children were suffering from dental curies. A closer examination would probably show that 90 per cent, of tho children had defective teeth. This ww a very gravo state of affairs, 'l'ho question of unclean mouths ill children, overshadowed all other physical defects.., Tho association had, therefore, eomo to thy Ministers to ask consideration 'of " iv scheme with a view to remedying tho evil. In tho United States the matter had l>ecn taken up very eagerly., In Gcrmiany it was done by tho municipal authorities. In England it had also been taken up, and in all cases it was, done by voluntary contributions. Nov Zealand', liowover, was a comparatively small country, but as thu Stato had undertaken so many duties, they. thought this scheme could bo taken up mora effectively by tho State than by any other means. However, in tho present stale of public opinion, a comprehensive scheino was out of the question. .They suggested that n scheme be inaugurated whereby tho results of State dentistry - could be ascertained in a small way, so as to discover its effect on the efficiency of tlw pupil. . In tho United States the statistics showed that the average incrou.se, in tho efficiency of the primary school children from tho system of dental inspection was 15 per cent—in sonic cases it was 50 poi cent,, and m others-ICO per cent. Tlio scheme that they had to submit was that tho four centres should bo taken first, and that Uic.ro should become a Slate dentist in each centre,.

The Equipment Required. They would require a thoroughly equipped room at ouo of tho schools, and probably, tho services of ail attendant. The estimated cost at each centre waa sxmiething lijie J21500. They believed that Stnto dentistry must come sooner or later. It was tho poor people who had to bo considered, because well-to-do people looked upon dentistry as a necessity. After such an _ institution had beon working for a timo they could: judgo whether a larger scheme should bo gone on with. It would be ncoessary to have a dental advisor, who would bo quite subservient to tho Department that controlled tho system. T)nk\s.i th*y had. a dental expert oonstantly giving advice a tremendous amount of energy and loss would result. It was proposed that tho Stato dentists should undoi-jro a coun» in hygiene, as it was not only necessary to go in for remedial, but preventive, measures. Mr. Allen asked whom tho officer would advise. ' Dr. Cox took it that ho would advise tho Department. Ho would bo thoro to answer questions and. to organise. Professor Pickcrell said tho magnitude of the diseaso was eo great that they could not hopo to eliminate it at present, but if tho efficiency of tho children, both mental and physical, was to bo maintained, it was necessary that somo relief should bo given from this national epidemic. It was also explained that tho proposal was that only one big school in each cvt tho four centres should have a dental expert attached to it.

Ministers in Reply, Tho Hon. J. Allen said ho thought h« would liavo to submit the pamphlet to his' colleague, th<s Minister for Public Health, i If ho passed it, ho (Mr. Allen) thought it would bo wise on tho part of tho Gov-j ornmont to assist tho association to pub-! lish it for public purposes—for distribu-' tion among school teachers and parentsif it was simple enough for tho teachers to understand it. ■ l'ho Minister said ho thought they might ask Cabinet to allow a small sumof money for tho purpose. As to the nutm. proposal, tho 'deputation could realise that' both Mr. Rhodes and himself .wero very; keen indeed to sco our young people given | as good a start in life ns possible, lhey lmd already adopted a system of physical i training on scientific lines "which they hoped - would bo effective, but that was not enough. They had also adopted a system of phvsical training on scientific i lines which they hoped would be effective, - but that was not enough. Uiey had also adopted a scheme of medical inspection in schools. That was merely', nil e'xperinieut, but if they got evidence to show that it was a success, they must go further witli it. He realised that it was not covering tho whole ground that ought to bo covered, and that a great deal ot work that.ought, to'.lo done was not Ming: done. It was" evident that it was not enough to inspect tho children ; they liau> to go further. (Hear hear. If tho pooplo would not do it he believed that the State ought in some way or other to help tno peoplo and to pcrsund© thorn to do it as far <is. possibfe. It was essential that the children should,bo physically lit. As to tho deputation's proposal, he could not then say anything dehmto. He.w.ould.ydfc it over in Cabinet, and consult tho 1 üblioHealth Officers, and seo what conclusion thev could come to. AVhat wanted tfns to sw that tho first stop was a Men in the right direction. The step prnposcq by tho deputation would only be expen. mental, and it loomed before their mind as a schcino that would eventual y cost a' iireat deal of money. It therefore re< quired very careful consideration, and that would'be given to it. Tho Ho;l. It. H. Rhodes spoke to ho same effect, adding that ho hoped tho. Government would bo ablo to arnvo at a satisfactory-conclusion