DENTAL CLINIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 May 1938, Page 8

DENTAL CLINIC

DIFFICULTIES STRESSED LACK OF SUPPORT SERIOUS POSITION TO BE FACED The serious position of the Masterton Dental Clinic was placed before the biennial meeting of householders last night, A letter was read at each meeting from the Masterton Dental Clinic Committee drawing attention to the position of the schools with regard to the continuance of dental treatment. The letter coming before the Central School meeting stated that the parents of the school, with about 300 patients, last year subscribed £l4 7s towards the clinic funds, an average of lljd per patient. The money owing to the clinic amounted to 10s 2d per patient. After stating that such a state of affairs could not be allowed to continue, the letter intimated that it had been decided, on account of the financial position, to enforce payment of all arrears and current dues before further treatment was given.: Should the parents fail to respond to the final demand, it would for the school committee to evolve some scheme whereby dental treatment could be secured for every child attending the school. The financial difficulties under which the Clinic Committee was labouring were stressed by Mr W. R. Nicol. At the present time the committee was in debt to the extend of about £lOO. If the parents would all pay their ss, however, the committee would be able to pay its way and leave an annual surplus of about £6O. That amount could be put into a building fund and in three or four years a wooden building could be erected to house the clinic. If that could be done the problems of the Clinic Committee would be solved. The clinic was performing a wonderfur service, and one that should be appreciated by the parents of the children benefiting. There was no further discussion on the matter. “A HEARTBREAKING JOB” “It is an almost heartbreaking job,” observed Mr W. V. Madden, speaking at last night’s meeting of West School householders, when referring to the clinic. Mr Madden, who is secretary of the Masterton Dental Clinic, said he did not think the parents were aware of the large amount of work falling on the Dental Clinic Committee, which, during recent years, had been faced with tremendous difficulties in an effort to keep the clinic going. These difficulties were due to the lack of co-operation on the part of parents. Accounts had been sent out time and again, but the response had been most disappointing. “I do hope,” observed Mr Madden, “that the parents will respond so that these services, which the community needs, will be continued.” Ir. reply to a question, he said, that under the policy of the Division of Dental Hygiene, once a child had been refused treatment it was most difficult to get that child back again for further treatment. In the past every member of the committee had thought of the child rather than the parent and no child had been refused treatment. The committee knew that there were certain parents who could not afford to pay, but there were many others who could pay and did not. The majority of parents Jiad placed the committee in its present position, and unless they paid for treatment they could not receive it. Mr Madden added that had it not been for the Trust Lands Trust he did not know where they would be today. A voice: “We would have closed down.” Mr Madden observed that the people of Masterton had been spoilt by the Trust, many taking up the attitude that if they did not pay the Trust would make up the difference. Personally, he considered that was the wrong attitude. The chairman, Mr F. Shearer, said the cause was a very worthy one, and it was up to them as individuals to see that the dental clinic was kept in existence. The only way of doing that was to see that the annual charges were paid. The letter was received.