DENTAL CLINIC.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5240, 17 February 1928, Page 3

DENTAL CLINIC.

PLAINS SCHOOL SERVICE.

WORKING UNDER DIFFICULTIES.

Matters in connection with th© Hauraki Plains Schools Dental Cihfic were discussed by the Ngatea..District High School Committee on Monday evening, following the receipt of a letter from the dental officer, L. ,C.. Ellis, expressing thanks for the provision of a linoleum" amd" asking that -long overdue repairs to, the building be undertaken and that much-needed furniture and fittings be provided. ■ The letter pointed out that the w©rk was being carried out under great difficulties, and that efforts to make and maintain a standardised jilinic would be appreciated. “I am quite sure the value of the. work of the service entitles, at least, a reasonably convenient and hygienic surgery in which to carry out the dental treatment of the children of the Hauraki Plains,” stated the letter.

In the discussion by the committee ■ it was pointed out that the clinic -was certainly in a bad state, but tfe matter was not the concern of the Ngatea School Committee, but of the Hauraki Plains School Dental Clinic Committee, a body which never functioned. There was a complete lack of co-operation among the various, harts of the district served by the .clinic, as the matter had never been organised. The fault appeared to be largely the department’s, but the result was that the whole burden fell on the Ngatea school committee. It had raised the funds locally to build the clinic and to maintain it, and no assistance whatever had been obtained from the other districts served. The continual expense for electricity, laundering, and cleaning .had become a burden, and only a thorough examination of the accounts would show whether school funds had not. been used. At the present time the dental nurse desired to visit the outlying schools to examine the teeth of for the purpose of advising what treatment, if any, was necessary. The cost of this travelling was, according to the rules of the department, to be borne by the school district visited, but in view of thq inactivity of the Dental Clinic Committee it appeared that nothing would be done. If the visits were not made parents would not know whether their children should be brought in for. treatment, and if the nurse was not kept busy she would return to Paeroa. The lack of, appreciation of the service, as evidenced by the lack of organisation, had caused the reduction in status of the Plains clinic to a mere sub-base, and further inactivity would: possibly mean further curtailment of the serviceu