DENTAL ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 74, 27 March 1919, Page 8

DENTAL ASSOCIATION.

AXXUAL MEETING AUCKLAND ' ISKANCH. COXCLUDIXG SOCIAL. The annual general meeting of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Dental Association, held yesterday, was concluded last evening with a social evening, held at the Dental Rooms, Hospitul Board building. A toast list was honoured, interspersed with musical and elocutionai-y items. I The acting-president (Mr G. L-. Taylor), i in his address extended a hearty welcome to the visitors. He said that during the past year little extra organisation was required as far as the executive was concerned, owing to the war and the fact that mauy Association members were on active service. An endeavour had been made to keep the Association alire, and tht executive and members had to be congratulated, for the branch was now recognised to be a strong one, and one of the best in New Zealand. The Association had Indeed rendered valuable service to X'ew Zealana'in the war. It was .never anticipated .by the military early In the struggle that dental work would be necessary, and the result was that many of the earliest volunteer troops were dentally inefficient. The Association played a part in getting the Dental Corps created, and this had proved one of the most beneficial and praiseworthy corps with the troops, its work being copied by other Dominions and other coun'.rles with armies in the field. The Association members had also lent assistance to the authorities in civic capacity, and the great need of the work had been thereby stressed. The fact that many people required treatment and did not receive it, as recently discovered, was not the fault of the dentists, but due to the ignorance of the public. It had been proved by military experience that not 40 per cent of the men were dentally fit, and therefore not physically fit, and were therefore inefflcie:it. If that was so. were they fit for civil life? If that applied to adults, how much more would It not apply to children. Some biff and influential organisation was required to take up this matter, and the Association considered it was time for persuading the Government of the importance of having Stato dentists, lie was pleased to see the Government was taking some small action in that direction, and this, no doubt, would give way to something bigger. The Association, through the Dental Corps, had proved to the Government the importance of children having proper dental treatment. He hoped that the present co-operative spirit of the members would continue to permeate the Association's progress for the benefit of the Dominion and of the profession. (Applause.)

Mr C. H. Forte, the incoming president of the Association, proposed the toast or the "New Zealand Dental Corps," ann Colonel 3. N. Rlshworth, in replying, said the Dental Corps was really the child of the Association, and had occupied an honourable position in the military forces. The public and medicos earlier in the war hart no idea that dental disease would affect mobilisation, but the Dental Association, apprised of the fact, voluntarily filled the gap gratuitously, and this had a strong Influence on public opinion, and led to the Dental Corps' formation. It was one of the best organisations of the army. On the civilian side, he could say, as the result of exhaustive inquiry, the work done here was not similarly done elsewhere. Sir .Tames Allen had frequently expressed appreciation to the spenker, so that in view of the recognition of the Dental Corps and its work it was certain that more attention would be paid to the teeth of childi'en, so that should there ever be war again there would not be the necessity for a Dental Corps.

Responding to the tflnst of guests ana kindred assoefntlons, Dr. Reekie, representing the 8.M.A., congratulated the Association on the personal interest, shown by members in its progress. He considered It' would he of advantage to tho medical association to have similar regular meetings to increase efficiency. National efficiency was a siogan these days, and it would come quickly, because it was necessary to fill the great gap caused l>y death. It would have to come in the speeding up of child efficiency, in which dental efficiency "was a primary condition to physical and mental efficiency. Thij speaker also referred to the need for better Parliamentary recognition of these professional questions. It could be obtained only by having a representative at Parliament. The speaker paid tribute to the value of the dental profession, and to the remarkable progress made in this direction by specialisation.

Dr. Zlele, of Hawke's Bay. said that the State urgently required to give attention to the inadequacy of treatment available in the smaller centres. He was surprised and pleased to see the very fine dental hospital and equipment and museum available to the public In Auckland.

Mr Reed, of Taumarunui, replied on behalf of country members, and suggested that the nest annual meeting be held at Taumarunui.

Mr B. S. Finn proposed the toast of the "Dental Association," and Mr Nelson Mitchell, in responding, referred to the work 1 accomplished by the Association in securing a permanent dental curriculum and dental bursaries, wihich would lay the foundation for an efficient form of State dental service.

During the evening enjoyable vocal items were -contributed by Messrs J. Ryan and Nelson Mitchell, and humorous nieces hv Mr Alan McElwain. J

Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:—President. Mr C H Forte; vice-president. Mr B. S. Finn: secretary, Mr H. C. Gleeson; treasurer Mr H D. Crump; auditor. Mr H. D. Bunbv : executive council, Messrs C. H. Hollowav .T. N. Rishworth, F. C. Tibbs, A. L will cock, A. H. Shroff.