The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. SATURDAY. AUGUST 2, 1913. A PATRIOTIC PROPOSAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 2 August 1913, Page 4

The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. SATURDAY. AUGUST 2, 1913. A PATRIOTIC PROPOSAL.

Just as Byron desiderated "something craggy to break his mind upon," so the ideal for children, out of the first years .of infancy, is that they should have gritty, fairly hard food on which to exercise their teeth. It may be that there are, in New Zealand, conditions which would neutralise the effects of this practice, even if it were generally followed, which it is not, to the discredit of parents. But if so, that makes it all the more necessary that the practice should be wisely followed throughout the Dominion. Jt is plain that without the right kind of exercise teeth will be deficient m strength and serviceableness, and the possessors of inefficient teeth will also be more oi less ineffective in ways that are prejudicial to themselves- and their country. It is to the credit of the Ncv Zealand Dental Association t->;>t us members have for years been public!, dwelling on these facts, with the knowledge born of scientific training and professional experience, and that, so far, they show no signs of wearying m

their well-doing. In fact, at the recent annual meeting of the Association, tire president expressly advocated State dentistry, at least to the extent of spending £20,000 of public money in providing for the proper treatment ot the teeth of school children. The necessity for special effort in this connection is established, inasmuch as there i» conclusive evidence that the majority of New Zealand children have extreme ly defective teeth; that children with extremely bad teeth cannot be physically fit; and that, therefore, the nation would gain by having their teeth properly seen to, even at the public expense. However, the Dental Association does not propose that the Gov ernment should spend £20.000 a yeai, but at present merely establish one State dental clinic in each of the four chief centres, attached to, or contiguous to a large school, or to one containing a large number of children of poor physical development. It is said that the initial cost need not exceed £160 in each centre, or the upkeep £550 per annum for each clinic; while the scheme should provide for preventive treatment as well as surgical dentistry. It is proposed that each clinic should be provided with the means foi the application of prophylactic treatment on modern scientific lines, and ! that if necessary, each State dentist [ should attend the University of Otago | for a short course in this subject before taking up his duties. In this manner it is hoped that, after the necessary surgical treatment, the resistance of the tissue in each child's mouth will be so raised that further treatment will be unnecessary. It is suggested that there should also be a dental advisor to the Public Health Department to assist in the initial organisation, inspect when desired to do so. and give his expert opinion to the office when called upon. On the whole, the plan is simple yet well-considered, and it is also inexpensive, in view of the invaluable results, which would, prima facie, be attained by its means. It is a credit to the public spirit of the dentists of the Dominion, and if s.dopted and pronei-ly carried out, theyo is reason to believe that the proocT.it would do would be of inestimable.value as a factor in the health and efficiency of the people of New Zealand.