SCHOOL CHILDREN'S TEETH

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 89, 12 October 1920, Page 2

SCHOOL CHILDREN'S TEETH

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir.—l would feel grateful for permission to utilise your paper jn order to take strong exception to the. suggestion of Mr. Hunter (mentioned in Parliament by tho Minister of Public Health) "that in view of tho paucity of dentists, thirty women (by means of a two years' course) be instructed in the particular work required in the treatment of children's teeth —such as simple fillings, etc." Sir, one feels *stounded to think that such an absurd suggestion should be made, especially whon made by one like Mr. Hunter, who «t least should be conversant with the presont condition in regard to children's teeth. Firstly, would someone- please inform me what the word "etc. -embraces? It is not to be believed that \ all children's teeth would merely be putt right by a "simple filling," and would these girls, after a two years' course be permitted to carry out all the "etceteras" on children? i Secondly, have the unqualified dentisn of New Zealand been consulted or given any option? Some of them have experience ranging, from five to eighteen yeacs, but are unqualified, and it girls are going I to be considered for a two years' course, what could be made out of men (who have adopted dentistry as a profession) in two years, or do the dentists (employers) themselves object to this move? Lastly, I do not think the. public who have children attending school would tolerate girls, who after a course of two years, would bo permitted to operate oh their children's teeth, even if only to carry out "simple fillings," and more especially to extract teeth, for assuredly ' there would be some children requiring extractions. If ! the unqualified dentists of New Zealand | do not object- to this suggested move, and the people do not mind who operate 'cm their children, well. then. I say, "all is 'well, indeed," and go ahead and show us that Mr. Hunter's scheme is workable, and ! that the balanoe-ahee-t will bear inspection. —I am, etc., „ MOLAR. 2nd October. . .