DENTAL CLINIC.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5044, 27 October 1926, Page 3

DENTAL CLINIC.

TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE DISCUSSION.

The question of securing the services of a dental officer for Paeroa was further discussed at last Friday night’s l meeting of the Paeroa District High School Committee. A letter was received from .the Director of Dental Hygiene, Wellington, advising that the rooms selected by the committee as. temporary accommodation for a •de.ntal clinic had pot met with the approval of .the dental officer. The director ajso advised that in approved cases the Education Department would grant a subsidy of £2 for £1 collected locally for the purpose of erecting a suitable clinic on scholoi property. The cost of a building in accordance with the department’s standard plan was about £240. In the event of a clinic being erected, the services of a dental oifficqr would be available for Paeroa.

Th© secretary stated that the committee would have to find about £lOO before the subsidy could be applied for.

A lengthy.discussion followed as to the best means of raising, the money. The headmaster (Mr G. H. Taylor) reported that there were over 200 families represented at the school. If each family contributed ten slhillings the money would be forthcoming to proceed with the work. On the motion of Mr McDonald it was resolved to circularise all householders and ask for subscriptions towards the building of a clinic, and that ej sub-committee, comprising the chairman (Mr C. H. Pascoe), headmaster, and secretary, be authorised to act in the matter.

In pdinting out the desirability of the establishment of a clinic at Paeroa, and the enormous; saving to the parents, the secretary stated that the benefits included fre,e treatment during the first year of the children below school age and those in the primer classes. Those children would continue to be under .observation and receive treatment during the whole of their school career. Each year those children entering school would be included in the number registered for tretament, so that in time the whole of the school children would be under the care of the dental officer. The value Of the undertaking from a health point of view 'ajone was worthy of liberal support from the community.

It was also resolved to invoke the assistance .of the Paeroa. Borough Council, Orphans’ Club, and other institutions in order to raise the £lOO. required as early as possible.