DENTAL CLINIC.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 29 September 1930, Page 4

DENTAL CLINIC.

MEETING AT METHVEN. A representative meeting of residents of Methven and the surrounding district was held in the Methven Public Library, to discuss the question of providing funds for the proposed dental clinic. Representatives wero present from Highbank, Lyndhurst, and Lauriston School Committees. An apology was received from the Alford I'orest representative, who agreed to fall in with any arrangements made. Mr H. E. A. Lock (chai fin an of the Methven District High School Committee) presided, and explained the position in regard to the clinic. It was proposed to make Methven the centre of tho district, which would include Lyndhurst, Lauriston, Highbank, and Alford Forest. The Government would provide a £2 for £l subsidy on the cost of the necessary building, provided it was erected on school property ; otherwise no' subsidy would be granted. The cost t>o the district referred to would be £96. and the annual charge would be 2s per pupil. This only applied to the primarv school. The nurse would attend to children from the age of two years until they passed the fourth standard. The nurse w.ould visit the schools of the surrounding districts to examine the children's teeth; but she would he unable to do any work at these schools. Children would be taken into Methven by car, for attention. The amount to l>e found for preliminary .expenses was approximately £IOO, and it was suggested that Methven should find twothirds of this amount, and that the other schools should find one third. In addition to the schools previousv mentioned, Mr Lock said that under the latest regulations it was possible for private schools to ■ have the benefit ot the, clinic where there was room for them, and he suggested that the Methven Convent authorities should be invited to join the scheme. Mr Andrews ('Lyndhurst) asked in' what rotation tho various schools would be attended to. and whether the' Methven School would receive attention first ?

Mr Smith (Education Board) said that the nurse would commence with the youngest children from each school, and work through to the hitrher classes.. The nurse would make all the arrangements as to appointments for treatment.

After discussion, Mr Smith moved that the dental clinic building bo gone on. with at once. This wus seconded by Mr Andrews, who strongly supported the motion. He spoke ot' the difficulty of getting children's teeth attended to in the outlying districts, and thought that tho clinic would be a great benefit. The chairman urged nil t 0 support the proposal, even though times were hard, as the opportunity to have children's teeth attended to for an annual charge of 2s was an opportunity too good to be missed. The motion was carried unanimously. The question of finance was next discussed. Sir Smith explained that the total cost would be approximately £3OO. Of this sum the Government would find £2OO. Of the balance it was suggested . that the following amounts should bo subscribed by the various schools: —Methven £66, Lyndhurst £l4, Highbank £6, Lauriston £9. Alford Forest £4- 10s. If any other schools should come in, the above amounts could be reduced accordingly. It would be necessary for the money to bo in hand by the end of October.

Mr Geo. Kelly (Lyndhurst) moved, and Mr L. L. Aitken seconded, that the schools support the proposal, and the cost on this basis. This was carried unanimously. Mr Aitken enquired whether Sletliveii would control the clinic, or whether a separate committee would be formed to take charge. The chairman said that a committee had been arranged for. Mefchven would have two representatives, and each of the other schools one representative on the committee. Tt u'as decided that the funds, us collected, should bo forwarded to the Rev. R. Morgan, to be paid into » special Dental Clinic Fund Account. Mr R. E. A. Lock was elected chairman, and the Rev. If. Morgan, secretary. of the combined schools' Dental Clinic Committee.