WORK OF CLINICS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21228, 26 September 1940, Page 9

WORK OF CLINICS

DENTAL TREATMENT NEEDS OF HAMILTON SCHOOLS NEW FRANKTON SERVICE The need for adequate treatment for the teeth of children and the work already being done in that connection by the dental clinics formed the subject of a lecture delivered by Dr. R. M. S. Taylor, senior dental officer of the Hamilton district, at the Whitiora school last night. The Dental Service, said Dr. Taylor, was inaugurated after the conclusion of the Great War,, during which the medical examination of soldiers showed a high proportion of dental disease. Since then the work had steadily grown, but much progress would have to be made before the position could be considered satisfactory. Dr. Taylor said the medical examination of recruits for the army in the present war had again shown a disquieting amount of dental decay, about 80-90 per cent of those examined requiring dental attention and some 50 per cent artificial dentures. He considered that the medical and dental treatment needed in New Zealand was far in excess of what it should be in so smgll a country.

During 1938, 107,000 patients were admitted to public hospitals, representing about 1 in 15 of the population, while the average duration of each admission was 22 days. This question of public health was inextricably bound up with that of dental health, but as the results of dentfl disease were seldom spectacular this important phase was often neglected. The right kind of food, cleanliness, sunshine, proper exercise and rest were just as important in the care of the teeth as of the body. Work of Clinics Dr. Taylor outlined the work being done by the dental clinics, which he summarised as (1) to render children 'Vent ally fit and to maintain them in that condition, and (2) to give instruction in the hygiene of the mouth and the prevention of disease. The main object of the clinic was to teach the children to help themselves, and in this connection the whole-hearted co-operation of parents was necessary. Dental service, Dr. Taylor emphasised, was treatment plus knowledge. Without the children carrying out the necessary instruction to safeguard their teeth the work of the clinic was nullified. If the child learned right habits from its earliest schooldays much needless dental decay would be avoided and the public health would improve. Unfortunately, continued Dr. Taylar, it was impossible at present, owing to the arrears of work to be made up, for children beyond Standard IV to be treated or for specialised work such, as bridges and dentures, or the filling of the front permanent teeth to be undertaken. All that could be done was to draw the attention of parents to these defects and to recommend that children should be sent to a private practitioner. For a charge not exceeding 5s a year a child received two dental attentions a year at the dental clinic, often representing a saving of several pounds to the parents. Hamilton Clinics The organisation of the clinics in the Hamilton district was dealt with by Dr. Taylor. Up till recently the work of the Dental Service had been hampered by inadequate facilities, but the opening of the new Frankton clinic, on Saturday, would relieve congestion considerably. In addition there were two other clinics, one at Whitiora, and the other at Hamilton East, but the arrears of work had assumed such proportions early this year that treatments for Standards 2, 3 and 4 had to be cancelled. With the new clinic opened, however, it would be possible to give dental attention to all children from the primers to Standard 4, while preschool children could be treated at Frankton and Whitiora, but not at Hamilton East as yet. In conclusion Doctor Taylor stated that to meet fully the requirements of the district an additional one-nurse clinic would be necessary, either at Hamilton West or Hillcrest, or if possible at both schools.