DENTAL CLINIC TREATMENT.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 13, 23 August 1928, Page 2

DENTAL CLINIC TREATMENT.

It would appear " that • although we have had a dental clinic in Lower Hutt for some years the policy of the Government with regard-to treatment at these clinics is still unknown to many of our residents. Briefly put the policy is as follows: — In the meantime only children attending public schools are entitled to free dental treatment. Requests have been made in Parliament lately that treatment should be extended to all school children, but the Minister for Health has explained why this cannot be done. Children commencing at public school in the primer classes are all entitled to treatment but are not eligible for that treatment until their parents or guardians have given their, written consent. Special forms are sent to the parents after the children have been dentally examined and if treatment is desired they must be ' signed and returned, otherwise, no treatment will be available. No treatment is undertaken: unless the Department is given full authority. A partial consent, e.g., consent to extractions but not fillings, or'vice versa, is not recognised at all. When treatment is begun in the primers it is as far as possible maintained until the children reach Std. IV. No work is attempted where the front permanent teeth.' are involved or where permanent teeth require root filling. If a child transfers to a school in another district where the service has been established, treatment will, if possible, be continued there. From statistics available it is' considered that 300 nurses will be required j to cope with the work in New Zealand and at present less than one quarter of that number' are actually out in the field. This forces us. to appreciate fhe truth of the Minister for Health's statement that the scheme ip only in its initial' stages and the impossible cannot be done. It is hoped that eventually all,school children will be entitled to treatment.