SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21734, 17 March 1936, Page 15

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

—♦ — MINISTER EMPHASISES IMPORTANCE MORE NURSES TO BE TRAINED (PUSS ASSOCIATION T*L*a»AM..) AUCKLAND, March 16. The importance of school dental clinics was emphasised by the Minister for Education (the Hon.'P. Fraser) when on a visit of inspection to the Beresford; Street school, which has bean without a dental clinic for nearly three years, as £3O required towards the cost had not been raised by the school committee. Mr Fraser said that if the health of the children were to be built up it was necessary that their teeth should be attended to. Many districts had shown their willingness to assist, and they received preference where possible. He expressed surprise that the amount had not been raised. . The chairman of the school committee (Mr H. Benfell) said the capitation for both the Beresford Street school and the Napier Street, school—both being controlled by the same committee—amounted to about £3OO a year, and it was difficult to meet all the expenses out of that sum. The Minister said that school capitation grants were now being considered by the Government, and he suggested that if the committee received a little more for capitation, that might relieve the pressure, and place the committee in the position of finding the necessary funds for the dental clinic. He said, however, that the Government could .not. ignore those schools that had raised funds for the care of the children’s teeth. The Minister referred to the Government’s proposals for a national health scheme, and said that care of the teeth would have every consideration. Provision was being made for 10 additional dental nurse trainees, and when accommodation and equipment were provided another 10 would be employed. Mr Fraser said that the Government was hoping to arrange for a scheme covering up to, perhaps, seven years, when at the end of that time the whole country would be provided With dental clinics.