Wider role awaits school dental nurse

Press, 29 May 1989, Page 24

Wider role awaits school dental nurse

By

DESMOND SMITH,

Word of Mouth

8.D.5., D.D.H.P. The legislation has been passed and now the traditional school dental nurse could be the star in a new ball game. From the 1920 s to December, 1988, the dental nurse was empowered by law to treat children, aged 2J4 to 13. A regulation in 1946 enabled children to have their teeth attended to by a dentist free of charge, from the time they started secondary school until they were 16 years old. The age limit was changed to 18 years during the 1970 s for those still at school or university.

Dentists who had been in practice since the 1950 s often saw patients who had not had treatment for eight to 10 years, since they left school and had to pay for their own dental care. In the cariesdays of 30 years ago that could mean their mouths becoming a mess. Gradually with fluoride and better understanding, the decay rate began to drop and most children required fewer fillings. Just as well, because many young people were short of money and chose to ignore their dental health, hoping it would look after itself. Of course it did not and more mouths became dental problems — not as many cavities certainly, but much higher levels of gttrn disease through lacß+

of preventive care. In the last four or five years, unemployment has been high and, as always, younger people have taken the hardest knocks. If you are trying to live on the dole or a domestic purposes benefit, your teeth tend to be low on the list of priorities, unless you have a raging toothache.

Meanwhile, dental nurses were doing a great job on most youngsters aged up to 13 but after that, the law did not allow them to treat any patients.

With the advent of Area Health Boards, which are now nurses’ employers, and the passing of the Dental Bill, 1989, may begin to see a new type of dental therapist emerging. The more needy sections of the population may have access to dental care which has previously been out of reach.

This must not mean any division or competition between these . dental therapists and the dentists who were instrumental in giving them birth. That would not be for the good of dentistry or the good of

New Zealand. The president of the New Zealand Dental Association recently emphasised this point when he called for the unifying Of all groups who would provide dental care. This included dentists in private practice, hospital departments and Government service, new dental therapists, and technicians who made dentures.

One of the leading dentists of the world, Mr David Barmes, of the World Health Organisation, said “Dentists are like dinosaurs. They are headed for extinction unless they change.” It would be a sorry day for New Zealanders’ dental care if the specialised skills of private dentists were lost to the people. Certain groups in the community are crying out for attention. They include people aged over 70, the unemployed and. those on Access schemes, the physically and intellectually handicapped and students and young workers.

The school dental nurse-therapist can provide some of the needs of these people, while more specialised parts of their care will have to be undertaken by dental surgeons.

It is up to the new area health boards to see-that the skills of their dental staff .are used in the widest possible way.