FREE DENTISTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1907, Page 4

FREE DENTISTRY.

An interesting deputation was' that from the Dental Association which waited upon the Hon. Geo. Fowids yesterday in his capacity as Minister for PubUc Health. The object of the deputation was to urge the deslrabiUty of the estabUshment of a dental room, or rooms, in connection with out public hospital. The importance of the soundness of the teeth in its relation to the general health, has come to be so widely recog-

nised of recent years that at this stage it hardly requires emphasising. The local association of dentists has found that there are very many people who are not in a position to pay for propeS attention to their teeth. For such, the only course with a troublesome tooth is extraction. Now, the members of the Association are prepared to give their services as honorary dentists in such cases, if the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board can see its way to provide the necessary accommodation. So far, the Board has assumed a purely non-com-mittal attitude towards the proposal.

The Minister, in replying to yesterday's deputation, gave his heartiest support and approval to the suggestion; and we think rightly so. When the State assumes the care of tlie bodily health of that portion of the public not in a position to pay for private treatment, it isan anomaly to neglect one admittedly important phase of the subject In Christchurch the Hospital Board has assumed its responsibility in the matter, and with the cordial expression of approval given by the Minister of Public Health yesterday we hope to see the Auckland Board move in the same direction. Tho present time, when new buildings are preparing, is an opportune one for consideration of the subject. There are certain matters that would have to be safeguarded, such as the performance of important work not by students and apprentices, but by thoroughly skilled dentists, and the abuse of the privilege by persons well able to pay; but these are matters of detail which should, with the co-operation of the Dental Association, be easily overcome. The main issue is clear, and the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board we trust will view it in a more favourable light than it has hitherto done.