DENTAL CLINIC SYSTEM.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 165, 14 July 1928, Page 7

DENTAL CLINIC SYSTEM.

SCORES OF APPLICATIONS.

EDUCATION PROBLEM. KEW CLINIC AT HENDERSON, j "There are scores of applications for* dental clinics, and we can offer very little hope in many cases of providing them for years," said Mr. A. Burns, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, at the opening of a new dental clinic at Henderson school this afternoon.

Mr. Burns continued: "When the Government introduced the system of dental treatment for school children it did not anticipate the great demand that lxas arisen. Clinics are being established in other parts of the Dominion in the same way as in the Auckland district, and the public is realising what an excellent service is being provided. It is, however, difficult to find the money and nnrses required. The present system touches only the fringe of the problem. Only the younger children of the schools get treatment, and it is essential that the clinics should be open to the higher standards as well.

"To establish full treatment -would admittedly involve the expenditure of a large sum of money, but that would be justified, and it would be wise economy if the necessary money could be foiincf in no other way, to reduce expenditure in some other direction to make dental treatment possible. This would be recouped by having healthier people in the future."

Congratulating the people of Henderson upon raising a sum of £S8 towards tlie cost of the elinie. Mr. Burns said that the buildinsr had been erected at a total cost of £253. The contractors were Messrs. Rope and Yirert. There were three rooms—a surgery, a nurse's room and a. waitinsr room, and provision was made for enlargement to a two-chair clinic, if later requirements should warrant. The dental equipment had been supplied bv the Education Department, and the furnishings by the residents out of the local contribution. The clinic would probablv serve the surrounding schools, as well as Henderson.