RESEARCH IN DENTISTRY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25364, 11 December 1947, Page 8

RESEARCH IN DENTISTRY

GIFT OF £lO,OOO TO SCHOOL WAYS OF USING MONEY SUGGESTED (P.A.) DUNEDIN, December 10. The conditions of his recent gift of £lO,OOO for dental research at the National Dental School in Dunedin were explained by Sir Thomas Hunter (Wellington) when he met the Council of the University of Otago yesterday. The gift was intended for the furtherance and encouragement of research at the Dental School, Sir Thomas Hunter said. He suggested that the Dean of the Dental School (Dr. J. P. Walsh) should act as an advisor to the 'council. He suggested that the capital sum should remain intact for five years, the income from the investment being used in the meantime. At the end of five years consideration should be given whether the capital was to be used or whether the income only should continue to be used. “I have felt for a very long time that it is necessary that something should- be done in the way. of dental research.” Sir Thomas Hunter said “In the early days not only the public but the medical profession failed to realise that dental disease was serious. I am satisfied that dental disease is the forerunner of most others. The diet of New Zealanders is the cause of most dental disease, but it is difficult to get people out of their evil ways, and fight habits, and against the vested interests who manufacture soft foods.