Dental Health Of Young Surveyed

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30536, 3 September 1964, Page 3

Dental Health Of Young Surveyed

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 2.

The Health Department has completed a survey of the dental health of persons between the the ages of 15 and 21.

The director of the Division of Dental Health (Dr. G. H. Leslie) said today the object of the survey had been to ascertain how many young people continued to have frequent dental care after leaving, at 16, the dental benefit scheme. He said the results of the survey were being collated, but it would be some months before the analysis would be complete. The survey, which covered about 2000 youths and girls, was done by the department’s research officer, Mr D. Beck, who began the task in January last year. At times he travelled and made dental checks in a specially equipped caravan, and on other occasions made them at universities, business houses, factories and farms. He said it was the first of its type ever undertaken in New Zealand. “We have never before examined people outside the scheme." Dr. Leslie said 15-year-old

children had been examined in order to give a basis for comparison with youths not under the benefit scheme. The scheme applies to all children of 15 and younger. The Minister of Health (Mr McKay) may, however, extend it, at his discretion, to cover people up to the age of 19.