SURVEY OF DENTAL SERVICES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23803, 24 November 1942, Page 4

SURVEY OF DENTAL SERVICES

CIVILIAN AND ARMY NEEDS (P.A.) AUCKLAND, November 23. A comprehensive survey of the dental services available to the civilian population in New Zealand was to be made to ascertain to what extent these services could be further reduced to meet the needs of the armed forces, said a communication from the senior dental officer in Auckland for the Department cf Health which came before the Auckland Hospital Board to-night. , It was stated that the National Medical Committee had directed that such a survey be made along the lines of one already carried out on medical services. The object of the investigation would be to present to the National Medical Committee a picture of the extent to which dental treatment was still available to the civilian population, to have an authoritative opinion as to its adequacy, and to have a recommendation as to how many more dentists and mechanics could be released for the Army. It was asked that the Hospital Board permit its senior dental surgeon to serve on the committee of investigation. The board decided to reply that it could not see its way clear to release its officer. As he v/as not in private practice he would not in any case be of assistance to the committee. 1