Dental Needs

Levin Daily Chronicle, 12 July 1917, Page 3

Dental Needs

OF PUBLIC SCHOOL OHILTXRiEX'. A QUESTION 1;X ! THE HOUSE OF RiEPRESENTATIViES. The need for dentally treating the public school children of this dominion was brought up by Mr W. H. Field, M.P. for 'this electorate, in tho House of Representatives last week. Mr Field asked the Minister of. 'Education whether he had finally arranged the details of his vitally important important proposal for providing the children, in the schools of the dominion with dental treatment; and, if so, whether he would make a statement 011 the matter and say when the scheme is likely to be put in operation? The Hon. Mr 'H'anan (Minister of Education) replied: With regard to the question of dental treatment for children in the schools tff the dominion, ic should be recognised that as a 'result of the medical inspection recently instituted large numbers of children are having their teeth attended to at their parents' expense, and that many others are treated free or at reduced cost at the dental department of some of the hospitals. In some cases teachers in outlying districts liave made special .arrangements for the visit oiP a dentist (from the nearest town, so that the cost of dental treatment is greatliy* lessened. Circulars have been issued to parents and children on the care of the teeth and tho mouth, and in addition, the medical inspectors have been instructed! not only to inspect the children, 'but wherever possible to give lectures or lessons to parents or children oti proper diet, care of teeth, brush-drill and general hygeine. The school nurses appointed this year are visiting the homes of many of the children inducing many parents to provide for the dental and physical treatment prescribed by medical inspectors. By these means a considerable improvement is being effected in the condition rif the teeth of schoolchildren.. It should be known, however, that with only six medical inspectors on the staff onlyi a small proportion of the children of tlie dominion can Ibe examined each year, and sufficient provision cannot be made for frequent re-examination. il am 'hoping that when the war is over the dental plant in the various camps will be given to .the Education- Department for the equipment of State dental clinics for the treatment of schoolchildren. 'When the estimates for the current year are being framed consideration will be given to the question of placing a sum thereon to provide for a travelling dental clinic to visit the outlying districts and thus provide immediate dental treatment for the children in the back-blocks who are at a disadvantage in respect to eibtaining treatment compared with town children. When this equipment is thoroughly tested, t'"'" question of extend ins the nrinciple as circumstances permit will be considered.