Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, MAY 31st., 1935. DENTAL CLINIC.

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 May 1935, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, MAY 31st., 1935. DENTAL CLINIC.

yiiE annual report and balance sheet of the Greymouth Dental Clinic Committee, makes mixed reading. Gratification may be derived from the quantity and quality of the work done for the juveniles, but there is cause for regret that it is easier, apparently, to extract teeth from the children, , than financial assistance from their i parents. These are not asked to pay much; about half of what one

visit to a professional dentist would cost, but this small practical expression of gratitude for services rendered is evaded in many instances. As a consequence, the Clinic Committee is in debt, accounts cannot be met, and, generally, the financial position is such as to be a reproach to the levy nonpayers. There seems to be no excuse for these delinquents. The annual foe asked for each child treated is but half-a-crown, with a maximum of five shillings for any one family. Such charges are but nominal and payment could cause little hardship. In cases where parental circumstances justify, the levy-payments are not expected. The poor mouths in the children are more than rivalled by the number of “poor mouths” from the grown-ups. Wlimi these pleas succeed, contagion spreads. One family learns that another, equally able lo pay. is n<>i doing so. The result is that neither does. 'l'he Committee has decided to be more just and less generous, and this tightening-up process should be supported by the

public. The unfortunate result of this now policy may he that

children, whose teeth really need attention, may suffer through the parents’ evasion of duty. A stand, however, must be taken. The justice of the case is all on the side of the Committee. It cannot be alleged that the Clinic is not required. Patronage increases annually, and the figures speak for themselves. During the year, the total attendances of children were 1,844; fillings 3,305; extractions 759; miscellaneous operations 2,156; total operations, 6,220. No wonder that an additional nurse is required. Congratulations are due to the Committee, the Nurses, and others responsible for what is a splendid record. It is to be hoped that when the current year’s report is duly published, it will be found that the state of the finances will, be such as to justify the inclusion of parents of the treated children, in the general commendation.