DENTAL CLINIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1831, 25 May 1918, Page 3

DENTAL CLINIC.

CHILDREN TO BE TREATED AT

HOSPITAL,

COMPULSORY TREATMENT TO BE URGED ON GOVERNMENT.

A special meeting of the Hospital Board was held on Thursday morning to discuss the establishment of a dental clinic at the Hospital, Present.; Sir James Wilson (chairman), Messrs W r . G. Pearce, J. K. Hornblow, . J. H. Vincent, J. W. Bramwell, J. A. Nash, Dr. Whitaker, D. Collis, H. H. Hunt, Mesdames Crabb and Gill, Messrs M. Moody and Brice.

Dr. Whitaker moved that the Minister be informed that this Board proposes to supply one dentist, one dental chair, gne day a week, in connection with a small children’s outpatients’ department; provided that the original outlay and upkeep bears the same subsidy as the proposal made by the Minister for a clinic in the town. Air Bramwell seconded the motiton.

Dr Whitaker suggested that if this was adopted it would bo reasonable in expenditure, and the Minister had promised 75 per cent, of the maintenance of a town clinic. If the suggestion was turned down he would propose the abandonment of the project. They had met the dental representatives twice, and-it was apparent a clinic at the Hospital met with their views; they certainly did not favour running it in conjunction with their private practices in town.

Mrs Crabb moved us uu amendment: “That a dental clinic under the control of the Hospital Board be established or otherwise provided for iii the centre of each town in the Hospital Board district, for the purpose of administering free dental treatment to the children of parents with an income of not more than £4 per week.”

Mrs Gill seconded the motion. Mrs Crabb said that Dr. Whitaker's plan for extension of the Hospital was a good one, but they must study the needs of the people, which were more necessary than building up a big institution. Hhe knew the difficulties under which country children lived, and the impracticability of bringing them in to the Palmerston Hospital for treatment. “It is not the people in motor cars who will come to the clinic —it is the poorer people who don’t have much spare time and fewer facilities for travelling,” said Mrs Crabb. Sin? added that Dr. Whitaker spoke as if a dentist was unable to do his work without the medical men at his elbow.

The Chairman read a letter from the College Street School Committee asking if school children would bo treated free if they were examined by school dental inspectors and recommended for treatment. Mr Hornblow did not believe in spending large sums on a dental clinic a't the Hospital. It was manifestly unfair to country children, who could not receive treatment. They had received a definite assurance from the Minister that they would subsidise the Board up to 75 per cent., but the average treatment per child was not to exceed 4s.

Mrs Crabb said the local dentists had refused to treat children at that price. Mr Vincent supported the doctor’s motion. It was a small start, but he hoped ultimately they would have their own dentist, who could visit country districts as well as attend to the patients'at the Hospial.

Mr Bramwell favoured a wider scheme, but he had seconded Dr. Whitaker’s mottion. Something had to be done or many children’s health would be impaired for life through defective teeth.

Mr Brjce objected to the Hospital Board shouldering the responsibility of free dental treatment of all school children. The present scheme favoured town children, and he was not inclined to suppovt.it. An arrangement whereby children could be treated in the nearest town by their own dentist was preferable. The Chairman favoured giving Dr Whitaker’s scheme a trial, and they would then be in a position to estimate the number of children qualifying for treatment and the cost of working.

Mr Nash: “What will bo the annual cost?’’ Mrs Crabb. “I don't know.” Mr Nash; “Oh, all right. I only thought you would have gone into that question before bringing forward the proposition.” Mrs Crabb: “I object to the clinic being at the Hospital.” Mr Vincent: “It’s a question of site again.”

Mr Hornblow outlined a wider scheme, and his intention to move a resolution embodying it.

Mrs Crabb said she would withdraw her amendment if he did so.

Dr Whitaker’s motion was put to the meeting and carried.

MrHornblow slated that in Fox-, .ton, ont of about 370 children, 00 wore recommended for dental treatment by the inspector, but only two or three had received attention. Parents were very lax. He saicl that not only was it necessary to enlist the co-operation of other Hospital Boards, but Education Boards also, in order that pressure might be bro j light to bear on the Government to enforce compulsory treatment. ■ Mr Hornblow then proposed, and Mrs Crgbb seconded: “That this Board urges upon the Ministers of Health and Education that legislation be introduced making dental treatment of children of school age attending State schools compulsory, and that dental officers be'appointed by> the Department for such purpose, treatment to be free to chil ? dres whose parents are not in re-

ceipt of more than £4 per week; and that this resolution be forwarded to the Ministers and Hospital Boards throughout the Dominion.” This was carried, Dr. Whitaker, and Messrs Vincent and Hornblow being appointed to represent the Board when the Minister of Education came up to visit tlr.- schools and receive deputations on matters pertaining to school children and improving educational conditions.