CARE OF THE TEETH

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21811, 17 June 1936, Page 9

CARE OF THE TEETH

PLACE ON THE SCHOOL SYLLABUS VIEWS OF COMMITTEE OF SUNLIGHT LEAGUE The importance of the Influence of the teachers in the schools of the Dominion on any scheme for Improving the condition of the teeth was emphasised by Mr G. F. Allen (the retiring chairman) in a report to a meeting of the diet and dental committee of the Sunlight League yesterday. ‘‘At present,” he said, "some teachers are giving systematic attention to the formation of habits that should result in the building and preservation of good teeth in their pupils. As the syllabus is at present designed, there is little to encourage any teacher to place the health of the pupil before neat writing and a thorough knowledge of the multiplication tables. Until the teachers are either encouraged or directed to give more time to health matters in their schools, scholarship will continue to usurp the need for skilful and systematic treatment of sound and efficient training in personal hygiene and healthy It appears a matter for the Department of Education to deal with. It is thougnt that the teachers should get some credit in their grading marks for success in such important work.” The committee also thought that the care of the teeth of the pupils of kindergarten schools should be investigated. At present there were no clinics for these children, and it was possible that much of the work done by the dental nurses at the public schools might be considerably reduced if proper treatment were provided on the lines of the school dental clinics. The good work done by the Plunket Society, Mr Allen said, would then be linked with that done in the public schools on more economic lines, and the welfare of the second teeth ensured. That there was a bad break at this stage was very evident, he said. The meeting decided to express pleasure and appreciation to the Minister for Health at the work done by the school dental nurses in attending to children of pre-school age. It was hoped this work would be extended and more systematically organised. Df, W. H. Rothwell was elected chairman for the year, and Dr. E. B. Reilly secretary.