CHILDREN’S TEETH.

Grey River Argus, 26 July 1922, Page 8

CHILDREN’S TEETH.

AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE. DR ELIZABETH GUNN’S ACTION. WELLINGTON, July 24. Correspondence was read at the Wellington Education Board’s last meeting concerning a complaint from the ‘Wellington South School Committee that Dr Gunn, school medical officer, had extracted teeth from a number of piipils without first obtaining the parents’ consent. The board forwarded the complaint to the Department of Public. Health, to which Dr E. IL Wilkins (Director of the Division of School Hygiene) wrote that it would be impracticable in the circumstances to obtain the consent of the parents in such a matter, which was done in a few minute* in the course of examination. If the School Committee did not wish the children in future to have the opportunity of having fragments of decaying teeth removed, instructions would be issued to Dr Gunn. Before this step was taken, however, he would urge parents to attend themselves and see what was actually done. Dr Gunn was not exceeding her authority in doing what she considered was in the best interests of the children. FOR THE CHILDREN’S GOOD. A letter from Dr Gunn stated that she did not extract teeth, although she frequently removed pieces of septic decayed teeth, which she thought were a danger to the child, and which would not be present had the child been receiving proper attention. Had the headmaster and members of the committee been present, at the inspection they would have been astonished and disgusted at the condition of the mouths of many of the children. She would bo glad to meet some of the irate parents referred to at any time, ami would demonstrate her methods to them. Dr Gunn added that she considered decayed am! septic teeth were just as much in need of attention as a broken leg, possibly more so in view of the fact that a broken leg would receive, attention at once, while the septic teeth might go on until the health of the child was affected. Tho methods of medical inspection had not varied, but in her own district, since, the introduction of toothbrush drill, there had been no septic mouths, pieces of deciduous teeth being removed by constant ami proper use of the toothbrush. In throe standards, of 225 children examined in the school referred to, 182 required urgent dental treatment, 63 had enlarged tonsils, 118 enlarged glands. 185 septic mouths. Dr Gunn removed 37 pieces of septic tooth. PARENTS SHOULD ATTEND. The board members did not think it desirable to antagonise parents against the school or the work that was being done there, and it was decided to write to the department expressing the opinion that it was inadvisable at. the present time for school doctors to interfere with the children’s teeth, and if anything of the kind was contemplated, parents concerned should be invited to be present on the date the inspection was to take place. Reference was made to the excellent work being done by the school dent: I nurses, ami the Department of Health ' asked for assistance for school dental nurses if work were undertaken in country places. It was resolved to forward a copy of the correspondence to school committees in country districts recommending the proposal to their favourable consideration.