SCHOOL DENTISTRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 76, 21 June 1927, Page 14

SCHOOL DENTISTRY

MANY PUPILS TREATED MORE NURSES NEEDED (From Our Own Coiiespondent.) HAMILTON, To-day. The progress of work in the denUi clinics was referred to in a pre-sef-sional address by the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, at Hamilton last night. He said the bUtc primary schools of the Dominion niut over 200,000 pupils, and the number State dental nurses and operators * n the field, working on children’s teem, was 76. Approximately 36,000 school children were under treatment. T &e department had 65 trainees undergoinK a two-years’ course of instruction in Wellington. It was estimated that dental nurses, at least, would be required to cope with the needs or w children in the State schools, ini ß<un* tion to the nurses being instructed no to teach children to care for their own teeth by proper methods. „ As a matter of general principle stated Mr. Young, "I am of ojMj#n that good health in the mdivl should be the basic foun^5 t r l °S nls . which to build democracy. ing that while the Government has 1 responsibility in that respect, « » only fulfil that responsibility in V portion to resources.” P.^ ta l Should for the younger school children s receive first consideration. _ 3W denT'ne Minister added that 16 n « tal nurses had recently qualine , first complete month, performed * fillings, 1,216 extractions, aria tminor operations. The wor fc ment was satisfactory and tie excellent.