THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JUNE 23, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 23 June 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, JUNE 23, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Dental Treatment Tor Children. An important announcement has been made by the Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister for Education) respecting an extension of the school medical service. Mr Hanan said that -recently he had submitted and received the approval of Cabinet to a scheme for dental treatment of school children. As a step in this direction it is proposed to appoint nine dentists (including a director), and to obtain a number of motor dental ambulances. Referring to the need for i some action being tahen of the nature indicated, the Minister -said that the percentage of school children with carious teeth and the number of those with bad mouths was very high. Comparatively speaking very few parents and children realised the danger tohealth of these conditions. Improved health of the children meant an improvement in their capacity to take advantage of the education offered, hence the, great value of the work being done by the school medical service, the .. scope of which was now being estendI ed bv the addition of dental treatment. ‘While it is good, said Mr Hanan. to | make arrangements for some denta i treatment, it is of the greatest import- ; ance to have instruction given in oral hveiene. Lessons will be given to the 1 children on the care of the teeth, and i the regular use of the tooth brush will I t, c ur"ed. Each child receiving treat- | meat will be given a printed leaflet ! explaining the necessity for propery I caring for the teeth, and how this | should be done. These leaflets will be I taken home to parents, and it is cs--1 ported that the latter will be educated I in a manner to see that their own tcet.-. ! ; ,s well as those of their children are ' properly cared for in the future. Mr i Hanan said that he believed this for--1 ward movement by the National Government in the interests oi the general health and development of the children would be greatly appreciated. ! The Minister 's announcement will be j received with very great satisfaction. ‘Mr Hanan’s remarks are fully justified I bv the facts, and’ the public will be 1 delighted to hear that the Government | has at last decided to set in a practical j manner to deal with this growing evil, I that is proving such a menace to the ! health of the rising generation. The i reports of medical men who examined 1 lour men for military service revealed,* I the fact that the evils caused by bod | teeth was simply appalling, while the 8 dental inspectors who have visited our | school children report that- the great l majority of these are ~ not properly earing for their teeth, and that the geevira! health of the children is very seriously affected in consequence. The steps to be taken by the Government - should have a very beneficial effect i ob the children- It has been suggested _ that the dental equipment provided for the military camps should be commandeered by the Government, and used in treating -the- children of- schools, and -this scents »c excellent suggestion that should be acted upon.

money for similar works. We notice that the township'of Rangiora (Canterbury) has just- completed the installation of an - electric lighting . scheme, at a cost of £SOOO, while Raetihi is considering the duplication of j its hydro-electric plant, with a view to J supplying electric current to Wanga- j nui. If other towns can get money for ! such schemes, why cannot we? It is j certainly “up” to tho local Town ; Board to find out the reason. f