CHILDREN'S TEETH

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 46, 18 November 1920, Page 6

CHILDREN'S TEETH

MR. PARR EXPLAINS HIS SCHEME

'THE TRAINING OF NURSES

"Some people seem to be stirring up trouble over my Department's proposal to give dental treatment to school children," said the Minister of Education (Mr. Parri yesterday. "It is therefore necessary Jo re-state the foots. Ono thing is quite clear: The condition of children's teeth nowadays can only be described as appalling. Our school medical officers furnish facts and figures, which indicato that this menace to the next generation's health is a most serious business. Not one child in nine but needs immediate 'treatment. Last mouth at Trentham a careful examination of tho teeth of Senior Cadets was made. These aro lioys from 14 to 18 years of age. It was'disclosed that 70 per cent, of these boys had mouths with serious dental troubles requiring, in the interests of their future health, immediate attention. Such being .the problem, tho practical question is how to face it. We proposo two things. First, one almost despairs of eventually overtaking the evil, growing as it is, unless by preventive medicine. By this I mean teaching" the young mothers of the nation the elementary la.ws of sound dietetics nnd health generally. Dr. I ruby King is next year to undertake wis great gospel of health. Future generationswill l-eap benefit from this child welfare movement.- But, secondly, we must come 'with proper treatment to the rescuo of those who suffer to-day. Here our difficulties begin. There is already a shortage of dentists in New Zealand at the present time, .Try as we may, we could not get a sufficient number of fully-qualified men for many years to come. Are wo in the meantime to sit down and wait? I hope not - ~ "The Departmental exports consider that suitable women with a two-years intensive courEe directed to the special needs of the school child, can well fill tho gap. This proposal is not a hasty one. It' has been well, considered, and is backed 'by sound opinion. On ™ , teinber 5 last a conferencea was held at Wellington at my request, at.which wew present members of the D 0™""?? n A [™ -issisr ISSS. w University Dental School: Mr. Hunter. Chief Dental Officer, and the Deimtvrw Health Officer. The proposals of of The Education & Suons.were.f™ pkl 10 for P "he iP trainin K of dental nurses, second Yepresenteh to the Gi*"nmeut mmm* •ISSiHS th» roufiirsters in the pnm« elates, and following ® m e nt p rot)[)SO:J ciftfr Olft under the superV"W*SS to "Son any part Of do not proposo , Jieine eauivnthe training *> obtained « f « llfaSatiom to "ffiSSr tSWV i irfcJttvfc Ai rs od' necessary for this purpose. "t observe objection ■■ seems to, be t'.lien to training these women e-se-vere than at the Dunedin school, w the facilities' at Dunedin are only efficient for the needs /.f the degree i nfTw must bo ,lu j e ithas Vrefore, been de-riSrf-that the training of the dental nurees wW begiven at Wellington. under the direct control of the Chief School Dental officer, assisted by th~ supervisor! for which . office, applications have beeii- called. - The - far the appointment of a supervisor has fiftAri ■ rliipfltiohed Our answer is that CapnoiKt would have been necessary wherever ffio training may bo Kl "i n '?ce," added th* Minister, "that opponents at Dunedin are so keeni on blocking the movement that tliev have sought legal advice nr.d have obtrlined mi opinion against.the legal.ty of tlie DenhTtmenfa proposal. Thb ment did not start the business without considering this aspect. We tee the oninion of the Crown T,aw Office that tlierd are no legal difficulties in the wav. . "Lastly, I object strongly to sngires. Hons in the Dunedm Press that the Department's action has been highhanded and against, tho intents of the dental profusion. Every step .has been carefullv considered, .and the proposal has been discussed and approved at .a meeting where all • interests were represented. one is more keen thsn I to safeguard the status and efficiency of the dental profession. B.ut every dentist will agree with me when I say that the almost awful problem of children's teeth as it is to-day dpmnnds some immediate practical measure. My special problem is to' bring immediate relief to thousands of suffering school children, and I can see no other way."