DENTISTRY FOR THE POOR.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43350, 16 July 1908, Page 2

DENTISTRY FOR THE POOR.

That the Auckland Dental Associa^

tion should have been approaching the Hospital Board this week, with the object of bringing before that body the desirability of supplying the poor with teeth is noteworthy. For some time past the gentlemen of this profession have felt the neceseity for making a move in the matter of the care of the teeth in those cases where, to quote Mr ftishworth, people “ could not afford to pay the dentist ordinary fees.” The definite roposal placed befofe the Hospital Board, namely, that the members of the Dental Association should give their services free if once they were provided with a dental hospital where the poor could come to receive attention, is one that points to the earnestness of those who have taken a lead in this movement to arrest the shocking decay of the teeth of the rising and risen generation. Of all the forms of physical deterioration at the present day so alarmingly on the increase, perhaps no one form is more serious than this universal decay of the teeth. For unsound teeth spell half masticated and improperly digested food ; and improperly digested food means a half-nourished human specimen, which, as one need not point out is a supreme mistake. Some approximation to physical perfection is one of the things to be aimed at in the building up of our nation, and this matter of the very foundation of a sound physique it is refreshing to see taken up by some of the fore-front members of the dental profession. That these gentlemen should come forward with the proffer of gratuitous service to those who are not well enough off to avail themselves of dental attention on the the ordinary terms,' is public-spirited and commanding of the warmest appreciation. We can only express the hope that the necessary accommodation will be provided, and that the pro-

moters of this generous scheme for treating the..children of those who iD many cases have to bring up a family on a little over £2 a week, will be met in a worthy spirit, and accorded all the assistance necessary to make their scheme a complete success.