Application on treatment

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 24

Application on treatment

The Christchurch co-ordin-ating Council for the Handicapped is awaiting a reaction from the Social Security Commission to a request for certain free dental treatment for handicapped people. Representation has been made to the commission by a Christchurch dental surgeon who wished to remain anonymous, concerning free dental treatment for those handicapped who experience hardship in paying their dental bills.

The main points in the submissions made to the commission are appeals for Government payment for anaesthetics used in treating handicapped people and for the dental treatment of invalid beneficiaries.

"Handicapped children up to the age of 16 can be registered with a dentist for free dental treatment for anything, but the anaesthetics used in some dental operations have to be paid for,” said the vice-chairman of the council (Miss B. M. Goldsbrough). “We are asking for free anaesthetics because some handicapped cannot even brush their teeth without an anaesthetic. These people that need to be anaesthetised before treatment have found it hard to pay for such treatment with the pensions they now receive.” Officers elected at the annual meeting of the council were: chairman, Mr C. A. Pilgrim; vice-chairman, Miss B. M. Goldsbrough; secretary, Mrs J. P. Evans; treasurer, Mrs C. Crawford; committee: Mrs J. Sawers, Messrs C. Crawford, A. S. Farrar, W. G. Blows.