SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23412, 20 August 1941, Page 8

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

FREE SERVICE FOR CHILDREN

(P.R.) WELLINGTON, August 19. Further proposals approved by the Cabinet, which will have the effect of making the -dental clinic Service free to children, were announced to-day by the Minister for Health (the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer). Extra grants to school dental clinic committees have been approved, and the power to make an annual change for treating children will be abolished, The Cabinet, said Mr Nordmeyer, had decided that remission would take place as from July 1 last of the charge of £3O per annum in respect of each nurse, imposed during the depression, and which had to be found by dental clinic committees. The Government had also decided to make a further grant to committees of ah amount not exceeding £25 pef annum for each dental nurse employed. That sum was meant to cover the cost of cleaning, disinfection, lighting, and heating of all rooms and offices of clinics, and Saundering and rent where they were layable. The Government would also accept responsibility for transport expenses incurred by nurses' in travelling, and transferring' equipment between central clinics and those which were not worked on a full-time'basis.

“There may still be some isolated cases where the expenses amount to more than the £25 per annum now proposed to be paid by the Government for each nurse, but this will represent such a small cost that it might easily be raised by the committee locally,’’ the Minister said. He emphasised that arrears of payment were still payable, and every effort should be made by clinic committees to meet their outstanding obligations to the Health Department up to June 30 last.