HEALTH IS WEALTH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1807, 21 July 1913, Page 3

HEALTH IS WEALTH.

A LEADING DENTIST'S VIEWS.

HINT TO LABOUR LEADERS.

One of tho most enthusiastic supporters of the dental reform movement in New Zealand is Mr. A. Hunter, of Dunedin. In conversation with a Dominion representative, Mr. Hunter said: "I was very pleased indeed to see our president setting forth the aims and objects of our association in the way he did. I have been annoyed on more than one occasion by hearing it stated that we were banded together to make a close corporation of our profession. Even a Minister of the late Government suggested that idea to a deputation. The fact is that our association was formed at a time when the standard of dental efficiency in the country was at a very low ebb. There was no proper training, and no standard of examination. The result was as you can imagine very unsatisfactory. both from our own ana the public point of view. Our young men had to go abroad if they wished to get a proper training. We thought it was time for this state of affairs to be altered, and to this end asked 'tho Government then in office to alter an Act whioh practically allowed anyone to practice dentistry. After the customary delays this was effected. What is tie result? We have a dental college in connection with 'the Otago University (under the control of Dr. Pickerill), which gives a training second to none in the world. In this, as in so many other stances, the younger feneration has wonderful opportunities m comparison with those enjoyed by those earlier in 'the field. . "In other respects, the banding together of the dentists in the form of an association has had great advantages, as our annual meetings have provided opportunities to the men who have gone abroad for experience to impart their newly-acquired knowledge to their less fortunate brethren, and thus raise the average standard of efficiency. In fact, it is a matter of grealt gratification to all of us to realise that the work done by the generality of the members of the association is of a very high Standard indeed. I have been tola on more than one occasion by men of high standing in the profession that they were astonished at the work done by practitioners in this country. Now, who gets the benefit of this? Surely the public. "Another matter 1 should like to touch upon is this, that we have never approached either this Government or its predeoessor for advantages on our own behalf, as has frequently been suggested. It may sound boastful to say so, but we are out on humanitarian lines in what has become' known as the school movement, to give tho benefit of our experience to the Government of the day in the interest of the masses. The masses themselves are, in matters affecting their bodily health and welfare, shockingly apathetic. It . has been clearly demonstrated that diseases of the mouth are responsible for a frightful amount of unnecessary suffering. The experience of our practitioners m 'tho schools, has disclosed a most lamentable condition of things. This is a matter in which .the leaders of the Labour movement might well exert their influence. That this scooirgs of dental caries will have to be met and fought, and that right soon, we are absolutely convinced about, and wo both individually and collectively are prepared to do our best to bring about a more salutary state of 'things. "We have prepared a pamphlet on preventive lines which we desire should be circulated amongst the masses of the people. The Hons. Jas. Allen and R. Heaton Rhodes have promised that the Government Printing Office shall undertake 'the printing, and our members have undertaken to help in the distribution in the various districts. As to State dentistry, I am satisfied that if Parliament will only give it a trial the results will be astonishing. It will result in'a great saving to tho Health Department, and will also be an important factor in promoting general efficiency. Tho more robust the unit the more rigorous and weal'th-producing will the nation become. This is good politics and better economics." ~