Gisborne Dentist To Practise In Wellington After Study In U.S.A.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23219, 3 April 1950, Page 6

Gisborne Dentist To Practise In Wellington After Study In U.S.A.

newcomer to the orthodontic field of dentistry in New Zealand is Miss Mamie Tatterstield, who recently returned to Wellington after nine months’ study in the United States. She is the daughter of Mrs. M. Tattersfield and the late Mr. Tattersfield, Stout Street, Gisborne.

Miss Tattersfield went to America for further practical knowledge and study of orthodontics, or the straightening of teeth. She will join the orthodontic stair of the dental clinic in Wellington, where formerly she was a member of (he teaching staff. She will be one of the few practising orthodontists in the Dominion.

The enthusiasm of the Americans in giving their teeth correct treatment was a source of amazement to the New Zealander.

Children took odd jobs, such as paperrunning, to help save the money needed for special denial treatment. She knew of several girls who were saving hard and who were doing week-end jobs like dish-washing, so that in time they could have their teeth straightened. This might cost from 500 to 5000 dollars. - She examined the teeth of hundreds of children and was “staggered” at their excellence. Many adults in the early twenties had no fillings whatever. During a special course in X-ray work the teeth of 40 people on the course were X-rayed. Five was the highest number of fillings anyone had, and one man in his fifties had only one tooth filled. West Has Best Teeth It was a fact that the teeth of people from the eastern United States were not of quite such a high standard as those of people in the west. Miss Tattersfield said she could usually tell if a person was from the east after examining his or her teeth. During her stay she was fortunate to be able to work for specialists, though, of course, without salary. The hospitality, both socially and professionally, which she was accorded has convinced the New Zealander that it would be impossible to meet a kinder or more helpful people. Miss Tattersfield’s study was completed with Dr. Charles Tweed, con--1 sidered the finest teacher of his subject !in the United States. He held a seminar i each year which students from all oyer \ America attended. As she had just j missed his month-long course, Dr. Tweed gave her the same study on hexown, despite his busy life. Restful Colours in Surgeries

Dentists went in for restful colours in their surgeries, particularly combinations like teal blue and rose. Throughout California, colour played a major part in the homes of the people. Six months were spent by Miss Tattersfield in Los Angeles. The city was expanding so rapidly, she said, that it was predicted that if it kept up this high expansion rate it would become the biggest city in the United States in the present decade. Already certain services, like the water supply, were being taxed.

Taking in numbers or spring fashion parades and window-gazing at the “fabulous” stores showed her something of new fashion trends. Hair remained short and drop earrings were largely worn: hats were small and close-fitting, hemlines were Min. from _ the ground and the high coolie neckline was the latest.

A fi-ock cut almost in traditional Chinese style which Miss Tattersfield bought was of emerald green shantung silk" sashed and piped in royal blue and embroidered with tiny Chinese symbols in the blue. Tans, cinnamons and other “warm” shades were populax-. and Montgomery beret hats were fashioned in soft straws and materials. Numbers of married women worked in America. One paper had said that CO per cent, of the women working in the United States were married.