GREYMOUTH DENTAL CLINIC

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1933, Page 5

GREYMOUTH DENTAL CLINIC

A USEFUL INSTITUTION The clinic was established by the Greymouth Main School Committee about (deven years ago. During 1931 it was decided to extend the treatment

to all schools in the Greymouth area, and all schools were invited to send J representatives to a special meeting of the Committee. Representatives attended from Cobden School. Cobden Convent, Marist Bros. School .and Grey Convent, and an agreement was reached whereby all were to co-oper-ate in raising the necessary funds to carry on the work. It was then found that it would be an advantage to have a special committee composed of delegates from each school, for the sole purpose of controlling the clinic work. The first clinic committee was formed in April 1932, and comprised tlie following members:—Very Rev. Father Long, Messrs A. M. Carroll and J. Gallagher representing Grey and Cobden Convent and Marist Schools; .Messrs. U. J. Alettrick and 0. H. Brailsford, representing Cobden School; Mrs Reeves, representing ■ Blaketown School; ami Messrs. R. A. Earrowman and J. C. H. McDonald, representing Grey Main School. Mr. R. A. Barrowman was elected Chairman and Mr. J. C. H. McDonald secretary of this new Committee, which is known as the Greymouth Dental Clin-

ic Committee. This committee is quite apart from ordinary School Committees, and is solely for the purpose of controlling the dental clinic work. Until the time of extending the work to the above schools, one dental nurse was able to carry out the work, but when the other schools were admitted it was found that a second nurse was required. Representations were made to the Department of Dental Hygiene and a second nurse was appointed. It was then found that the existing building was too small to accommodate the two nurses and the building had to be re-modelled. This work has now been completed at a cost of £6B/10/-. In addition to this £6B/10/-, a number of items such as floor coverings, window blinds, etc., were required. About the middle of last year, the Committee decided to exercise its power to strike a levy on parents in Older to assist in raising sufficient funds and fixed an annual levy of 2/6 per annum for eacli child under treatment with a maximum of 5/- for any one family irrespective of tlie number of children under treatment. H should be mentioned that as tlie result. of the finding of the Economy Commission, the Government requires each Dental Clinic Committee to pay £3O per annum for each dental nurse employed—this is in addition to the expenses of keeping the clinic clean, heating, lighting and laundry work—also the maintenance of the building. It will thus be seen that the minimum annual amount to be found by this Committee to meet ordinary running expenses is not less than £BO. Taking this amount with the remodelling of the Clinic it will be seen that the Committee have to raise at least £l6O during the first year. The Committee desire to place on record appreciation of the manner, the parents received the striking of the levy—a sum of £4O resulted therefrom. After all expenses in connection with the remodelling of the Clinic have been met. it is anticipated that, the levy will bring in a. sufficient amount to meet ordinary running expenses.

In the meantime it is necessary Io raise about £5O extra in order to meet liabilities. The Committee is endeavouring to obtain permission to run a small art union to raise this money—failing this the monej' will be raised by means of concerts. It should be remembered that tlie Committee has received considerable assistance from Mr. A. D. Brice, District Dental Supervisor of Christchurch, who is in charge of (he denial work in Ibis district and from whom tlie members have received helpful advice on many occasions.

As the result of recent legislation the age of pupils entering primary schools has been raised to six years. This does not affect the work of the. nurses as children are charted on attaining 5 years of age and will be treated at. the clinic if necessary even if they are not attending school. Parents with children five years of age should bring them to the Clinic for enrolment, by the dental nurses. The Committee asks for the cooperation of all parents in maintaining and building up this all-impor-tant work and welcomes any enquiry —parents should note that they may visit the clinic, at any reasonable time and see the work for themselves. The two nurses, Miss Thompson and Miss James will be pleased to give advice and instruction whenever desired.