DENTAL WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 275, 20 November 1935, Page 15

DENTAL WORK.

HOSPITAL SERVICE. OVERHAUL BADLY NEEDED. INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. The need for improvement in the supervision of the dental department of the hospital was discussed at a meeting of the Auckland Hospital Board yesterday afternoon, when the medical superintendent, Dr. J. W. Craven, requested the appointment of an honorary dental surgeon at the hospital. A report _pn the working of the department was submitted by Mr. J. H. Kinnear, who said he did not intend to focus the spotlight of criticism on any individual, but he wanted to call attention to the lack of organisation in the dental hospital. The chairman, Mr. William Wallace, had remarked that the dental hospital was not intended for people in the habit of visiting a dentist. It was intended rather to be for the benefit of those who could not afford professional services. The board had allowed the department to run itself. "Lack of Organisation." There was considerable congestion and evidence of lack of organisation, ho eaid. There appeared to be no desire to co-operate with any other department, and full use was not being made of expensive equipment that the board had installed. Congestion was apparent in the laboratory, where dentures were piling up without any chance of being completed for weeks. For the benefit of the dental superintendent a definite policy should be formulated. Although the board had been paying £14 a week the supervision there had not been any real supervision.

Mr. Kinnear pointed out that firstyear university dental students received practical instruction at the hospital, both during the day and night. They used the board's materials and apparatus, and probably were responsible for a great deal of waste. He believed the university paid about £100 a year for the service, and asked who got that money—the board or private individuals? Ho saw no record of any receipt or expenditure, and he maintained that any money earned by the department should be accounted for. The hospital staff should not have to work at night training students.

The board had purchased a motor car costing hundreds of pounds for the dentists to visit the hospital two days a week, and Air. Kinnear thought it would bo much cheaper to use a taxi cab. He also desired to know who used the car for the remainder of the week. Costs £400 a Month. The department cost the board for salaries and materials about £400 a ruonth, and, in return, the department completed three amalgam fillings per chair per day, one synthetic filling per chair per day, and three cement fillings per chair per week. There were about 10 extractions performed per day, with an average of four teeth per case. Also there were about 10 prophylactic treatments a day, and about 24 dentures completed every week. That was a poor return. It was suggested by Mr. Kinnear that suburban dentists should deal with suburban patients, and be paid at the ordinary charitable aid rates. All operative work at the main hospital should be done by honorary dentists, drawn from men in practice in the city, the positions to be advertised. Dr. J. P. Hastings said that the question of a national health scheme was in the air, and possibly provision could be made in the scheme for dental services. Mr. G. T. Parvin suggested that the matter be referred to the relief committee for a report. "Committee's Hands Tied." The Rev. W. C. Wood said the relief committee had given a great deal of attention to the matters referred to by Mr. Kinnear, but its hands had been tied. In reply to a question, Mr. Kincnar pointed out that the honorary dentists would relieve the board's dentists at the hospital. "I don't think it is possible to continue the dental department much longer, as it is at the present moment," added Mr. Wood. "There is a pressing need for the proper supervision of the department. . . . I believe we want a strong man who will reorganise and administer the department." The chairman agreed that the department required a complete overhaul. The matter had been held Up on account of an oflicer's health. The first honorary dentist was appointed in 1901, and the last in 1020, so that the suggestion advanced by the medical superintendent was not new. Mr. Parvin suggested that appointments of honorary dentists be made to the infirmary as well as to the hospital. It was finally agreed, on the motion of Dr. E. B. Gunson, to advertise for an honorary dental surgeon as recommended by the medical superintendent. The relief committee was also asked to report on the organisation of the department, and was given authority to arrange for a temporary head of the dental department.