DENTAL CLINIC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1940, Page 6

DENTAL CLINIC

VALUABLE SERVICE NOT APPRECIATED FULLY IN MASTERTON. OBSERVATIONS BY MEMBER FOR DISTRICT. Touching on questions that have been raised of late regarding the local dental clinic service, the member for Master (Mr J. Robertson) observed in a statement to a “Times-Age” representative that it was very disappointing indeed that there did not appear to be a sufficient appreciation in Masterton of the advantages to be derived by children from attendance at the clinic. “It is indeed disturbing.” said Mr Robertson, “to know that in this respect we lag behind other centres. Whatever the cause of this apparent indifference, steps should be taken to dispel it. To this end a short review of some aspects of the work of the dental clinics might be helpful. They were established in 1919, and statistics of the work done are available for 1921-22 to the present time. The most important feature presented by the figures is the percentage relationship between fillings and extractions. In the year 192122, for every 100 fillings that were given, there were 114.5 extractions. For the year 1938-39, for every 100 fillings given there were only 11.9 extractions. In other words, in the years since the clinics were established, the ratio of teeth extracted as unsaveable has been reduced from 114 to 12. No more striking testimony to the value of the service could be given. “There is, however, another aspect of the dental service which is more important even than the actual dental treatment. The service aims at try to prevent dental disease and it asks for the co-operation of parents as well as children in carrying out the simple rules taught regarding cleanliness and food. Dental disease has reached alarming proportions in this country and it behoves parents and children to make an earnest endeavour to remove this blot on our health record, by putting into practice the precepts that are taught by the dental clinic service. “It has been suggested.” said Mr Robertson, “that attendance at the clinics should be made compulsory, and it may be that in time the clinics, like our education system to which they are linked, may become free and compulsory. The arguments that can be adduced in both instances, are analagous. Meantime, dental treatment, both curative and preventive, for the sum of 5s per annum, is a mighty good investment for any parent to make on behalf of his children.”