OPOTIKI DENTAL CLINIC

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 163, 27 March 1939, Page 3

OPOTIKI DENTAL CLINIC

THE OFFICIAL OPENING PERFORMED BY NURSE GAMER-ON The opening ceremony of the new Opotiki Dental Clinic took place on Friday afternoon. On the platform were the members' of the Dental Committee, the headmaster (Air. de AIOII- - his worship the Mayor (Air. G. S. Moody)- and Nurse Cameron, ALB. E.. R.R.O. Tiie chairman. Air. AY. T. Buffett, traversed the efforts during the past ten years to bring about what Opotiki possessed to-day—a first-class Dental Clinic. He expressed the pleasure of all present-’ . that Aiiss Cameron was able to bo with the gathering. It was due, he stated, to Aiiss Cameron’s initiative that the Dental Clinic was an accomplished fact, she having gathered together a band of ladies as a committee and doing much "spade” work. The thanks of all were due to Aiiss Cameron for her very fine and suc.eessful effort. Little Cecily Cave, daughter of the secretary of the Dental Committee, then came forward and presented Aiiss Cameron with a beaiitiful posy, amid applause.

The Mayor then expressed his pleasure- at being present and being able to speak on such a happy occasion. He congratulated) all those who had worked so hard to bring the clinic to Opotiki and wished the clinic every success. Apologies for absence were then read from Mr. Gordon Hultquist, AI. P.. and Air. P. Burton, late headmaster. Aiiss Cameron, who had been invited to perform the opening ceremony, on rising to) speak, was received with prolonged applause. Aiiss Cameron said she felt highly honoured in being asked to attend the function. No clloubt it was a red-let-ter day for Opotiki, but ,she felt distressed at so many young, parents being absent and therefore she felt it her duty to give the children a short history of the building about to bo opened. She stated that in July, 1929, alter her health talk to the members of the Women’s Institute on diseases caused by dental caries, and after showing a plan of a Dental Clinic and stressing the importance of the appointment of a dental nurse for the district, a committee was formed to go fully into the matter. That confmittee consisted of Airs. Fox, Airs. Burgess, Airs. Mansell,- Airs. Kemp, Airs. W. Scott and the speaker. It was decided to hold a queen carnival and they selected two popular school children, namely, Aiiss Violet Aloody for “Town Queen”; and Aiiss Eleanor Alurray for “Country Queen”. The parents of these young ladies willingly gave their sanction and with the wonderful cooperation of the men led by Alessrs. Payne, Barrett, Reeves and Merry, a most successful Queen Carnival was started.' • Sub-committees were formed all over the country districts; everybody talked “Dental Clinic” and in a few’ weeks the magnificent sum of .£234 was raised. Although they had to wait 10 years . for the building—and during that time Air. Cave, secretary of the Dental Clinic Committee must have written many letters to the Bay member of Parliament; in fact every one connected with providing the service—the dental nurse was appointed in 1932. Nurse -Cameron said she knew of no greater service provided by the State for the health of the children. The dental nurses were a fine body of young ladies; firstly teaching health, cleanliness and correct foods to prevent dental disease, and secondly keeping the children’s mouths clean and free from disease. Before officially opening the clinic Nurse Cameron paid high tribute to -the Dental Clinic Committee and said: “You have certainly aimed atservice. By that I mean you have treated your children from 1932 at the rate of 2/6 -per child. When I was transferred to Rotorua in 1931 the rate was 5/- per child. I would like here also to include the dental nurse, because numbers also help to keep down costs. 500 children now being treated. “Do the young mothers and fathers realise what is really being done for their children ? By their absence today one would gather they did not. I appeal to the children to take this message home. AAo want and must have their co-operation, their sym-

patliy and their help to carry on this great work’’. The chairman then handed Aiiss Cameron the key, avlio declared the clinic open, and asked that one hoy and one girl from each class should be the first to enter the building. (Applause). After these pupils had entered the building, a dainty afternoon tea Avas served by the girls of the High School, headed by Alias Jean Du POll- - Later. Aiiss Cameron visited- Airs. W. A. Jophson (nee Aiiss Aloody) at hospital and gave her the bouquet presented to her during the ceremony I)v Aiiss Cecily Cave.