DEFECTIVE TEETH

Evening Star, Issue 22686, 28 June 1937, Page 12

DEFECTIVE TEETH

PREVALENCE IN DOMINION NECESSITY FOR RESEARCH The necessity for research in dental disease in the Dominion, particularly because of the susceptibility of New Zealanders to defective teeth, was emphasised by speakers at the anniversary dinner on Saturday night of the Otago University Dental Students’ Association. Dr R. B. Dodds, the director of the Dental School, in referring to the prevalence of dental disease in New Zealand, said it should be possible to find the cause. Research could help a great deal towards that end. “Wo need provision for research work in dentistry,” said Dr James Fitzgerald. “ I look on the research worker in much the same light as Kipling regarded the explorer. _ Although there is research work going on in the Medical School, there is none in the Dental School, which does not seem +o have received any consideration, in spite of the fact that funds have been allocated for research in other directions. I do not think that any school which is not carrying out research is a complete one. As chairman of the Dental Committee of the University Council, I am prepared to do all I can towards making provision for dental research, but, since it is a matter which affects the whole of the community, I think the Government should supply the funds.” Dr Dodds said that a small amount of research’ work had been carried opt at the Dental School at different times. He considered that the University Council was well seized of the importance of the matter, and ho hoped that, later on, the Government, would bo ready to assist in a practical way. “ We have special problems in New Zealand,” he added, “and wo should have facilities to attack these problems. New Zealand leads the world in dental disease, and we should be able to find the reason whv.”