FIFTH EDITION

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 26, 1 February 1928, Page 8

FIFTH EDITION

DENTAL CARAVANS.

FOR THE BACKBLOCKS.

DECLINED BY MINISTER.

EDUCATION BOARD URGES ACTION.

The Minister of Education does not intend to grant the request of the Auckland Education Board for the provision of dental caravans to render service to children attending country schools.

A letter to this effect was received at to-day's meeting of the board. The Minister stated he had discussed the matter with his colleague the Minister of Public Health, and the latter was satisfied from the experience gained that dental ambulances were not the best means of providing dental treatment in country districts. The chairman (Mr. A. Burns): The Minister states that dental ambulances are not the best means. Well, we want to know what are the best means. Mr. F. A. Snell: They are the only means at present. The Chairman: lam very keen on this, and I hope to sec something done. When we go into the country we are faced with questions, and we should be in a position to give information as to what the Department proposes. To my mind everything possible should lie done to encourage people to live in the backblocks. One of the chief troubles of today is that too many people are flocking to the cities.

Mr. Snell: I am surprised at the reply of the Minister, for he told me at a public meeting that he would be in favour of dental caravans.

Mr. H. W. S. King: I hope the board will carry the matter further. If dental caravans were good enough for soldiers in war time they are purely good enough for the school children now.

Mr. J. Patterson: I believe that if dental clinics were established parents would bring their children to them.

The Chairman: It is the children in the backblocks for whom we are concerned. (Hear, hear.)

The board resolved to urge the Minister of Education to provide some form of dental service for schools in the back country. The Chairman: It is up to the Dental Department to evolve a satisfactory scheme. Fuller Information Wanted. A further memorandum was received from the Director of Dental Hygiene regarding the board's suggestion that arrangements be made for pupils of Ngararatunua school to attend the Whangarei dental clinic say, once each month. The director stated he was well aware of the position, and had made the best arrangement. The Chairman: I think it Is due to this board to receive a fuller and more satisfactory reply to a reasonable inquiry. On the motion of Mr. James Boddie the board resolved that the secretary place the facts fully before the Minister and ask him for a reasonable reply.