STATE DENTAL SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1929, Page 2

STATE DENTAL SERVICE

“ WILD AND DESTRUCTIVE.” .MINISTER ANSWERS CRITICISM. WELLINGTON, June 22. Criticism of the State Dental Service by Dr Gerald J. Faulkner lias recently been published, and the Minister of Health (the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) lias made a reply in detail. In his statement to a representative of the “Lyttelton Times,” Mr Stnllworthv remarked that he at first felt inclined to leave the critic unanswered. However, the article had been followed by press comment in the south, comment containing such erroneous statements that he considered they should be answered in the public interest. “These comments,” continued the Minster, “refer to ‘the harm that is being done by the dental nurses on account of the alleged defective training,’ find to the c disastrous resuits ’ of their work, due to thentraining being in the hands of what is termed 1 half-pie teachers and examiners, instead of properly qualified persons.’ Such an outrageous statement is not only erroneous and misleading but is an insult to the graduates of the Otago University Dental School (of whom Dr Faulkner himself is one), as the head of the training school for dental nurses, and his three assistants are all graduates of that University. As for the examiners, the Minister pointed out that the primary examination (anatomy, physiology, etc.) is conducted each year by members of the meuical profession. The final examination, which comprises purely dental subjects, is conducted in the same manner as obtains at the Otago University Dental School, that is, by practising dentists in conjunction with a, member of the teaching staff. For the past two years the outside examiner has been a graduate of Otago University. In addition, the Director of the State Dental Service is a dehtist of wide experience, who has personally, on more than one occasion, investigated methods of public health dentistry in vogue in America and elsewhere. His last visit, only three years ago, was devoted entirely to this mattei. STRONG- PUBLIC APPRECIATION.

“ I would like to take this opportunity,” continued the Minister of Health, “of repeating what has been pointed out before, that the scope of the work of the dental nurses is limited to -'"minor dental surgery for children, and that two years devoted to this work alone is inconsiderably longer than can possible be given to it in any dental school where the whole scope of dentistry has to be covered. That the w-ork of the dental nurses is being appreciated by the public is undeniable, and I find it difficult to reconcile Dr. Faulkner’s statements with those of many eminent members of the medical as well as of the dental profession, both in New Zealand and 'from abroad, who have been sufficiently interested'to investigate what has been done. This Dr Falluter has neglected to do. These eminent gentlemen have expressed themselves in terms of the highest praise. I may mention two Mr Sampson Handley, the eminent surgeon who recently visited New Zealand said that he considered it the most statesmanlike manner of dealing with the problem that he knew of anywhere in the world. “Mr E. S. Callanan, Principal School Dental Officer, Victoria, who was sent to this country to investigate the New Zealand system, said after doing so that lie ‘had nothing but unbounded praise for the scheme, and that ho would strongly urge the Government of Victoria to adopt a similar system.’ “I also find it difficult,” continued the Minister, “to reconcile the statement made by Dr Faulkner in his recent criticism, with a statement written by- him from Philadelphia in June, 1928. He recently declared ‘that before I left New Zealand and after my return, I was obliged to speak of the school scheme in exceedingly disparaging terms.’ Yet the same l)r Faulkner in a letter written in Philadelphia in June, 1928, to Colonel Hunter: ‘I have

given two'brief lectures upon the State Dental Scheme as employed In New Zealand. I was very well received on the two occasions. There is a great move to establish a system somewhat similar to that employed in our country. ... I would like a complete

description df your system of training (for further lecture purposes)/ TF 1 can only give the members of our profession on this side accurate data concerning this subject 1 am sure it will be greatly appreciated, and a satisfactory reflection on your good work.’ “Colonel Hunter,” concluded the Minister, “ addressed a convention of members of the Southern California Dental Societies, when the American opinion was expressed that the New Zealand scheme was admirably con-1 ceivcd to ‘ solve the problem.’ Moreover, 1 understand that the New Zealand scheme has been adopted as part of "the public health dentistry course at Harvard College, Boston, the Professor of Preventive Dentistry there oxpressiw the opinion that this scheme is a model if or this class ol health B worTc.