DENTAL SERVICE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 10 August 1928, Page 9

DENTAL SERVICE

ITS ULTIMATE SCOPE.

CLAIMS OF gOUNTRY DISTRICTS. APPRECIATION EXPRESSED. (By Telegraph—Special to The Star.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 10. Nearly every member of the House of Representatives during a long debate on the anuni report of the Health Department urged the Government to oreatlv extend the school dental service, while. Mr E. P. Lee (Oamaru), suggested that as all children were equally valuable from the State point or view, those in private schools should, also receive attention. The Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health, expressed his pleasure at. the general demand for an extension, indicating the value of the service. About 50 dental nurses were being trained each year, and 77 were in the field, assisted by nine dental officers. There were ■GO women under training and il money couid be found, lie was prepared to extend the services, but the country could not do impossibilities. At the present rate of development it would probabiv take six years to meet requirements and it was encouraging to see the wide approval of the system expressed by members, whose support he assumed would be available for voting tiie necesary funds. It must be recognised that these social services were paid for by tiie taxpayer and. the people who criticised high taxation should remember their demands for more dental services. He assured the country members who liacl brought specific requests to his notice that the present c.inics were grouped to serve the largest area of country districts possible. There were over 200,000 children of school dental age and it was only reasonable to provide first tor those in the State’s own schools. However, it was fair to sav that when time came that the State’s school children could all be treated, the system might he extended to private schools. Mr T. M. Wilford: “Eventually you will want to cover everybody.” The Minister: “Yes, every child m the community eventually, and I have the full support of the Prime Mmistei in that policy.” _____