MILITARY DENTAL WORK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17587, 18 September 1917, Page 4

MILITARY DENTAL WORK.

QUALITY OF TEETH DISCUSSED

[From: Oca Couuespokdext.l "WELLINGTON, September 17. The quality of teeth supplied to soldiers in and out of camps was the subject of a question to the Defence Minister to-night by Mr Jsitt who asked what arrangements had been madpi about the quality of the teeth to be used. The member said that a dental n.au of good standing had told him that no demand had been made by the Defence authorities about tho quality of artificial teeth. He added that a very inferior quality of 'teeth was being used and asked him to bring the matter before the Minister and he more than insinuated that a good many of the dentists were actually making an unreasonable profit by using interior quality teeth. _ Mr Yeung, who lumselr is a dentist, remarked that it was rather a pity that tho member’s informant had not provided him with fuller information. He himself belioved that work being -done for soldiers in camp was of a very high Duality. As to tno work, don© in the'country by arrangement with tho Government ho could not speak. Mr Isitt: Ah, that, is it. _ " Mr Young: I certainly thank some eort of inspection should bo made to i'-suri 1 that the work done in tho country for soldiers outside camps is of proper quality. Mr Young went on to explain tho difference in artificial teeth, and said that cheap teeth did not necessarily mean bad teeth. He ppm rested that a schedule should bo drawn up which together with inspection, should insure satisfaction both to the Government and soldiers. He added that Colonel Rush worth, Director of Dental Services, was a very capable nnn and the Government could do no better than follow his advice. Sir Janies Allen endorsed Mr Young’s remarks respecting dentil work clone in camp. As to outside work he believed somo cases had been found of work not heing up io tho standard it should be. but, generally speaking, ho believed tho outside work vas very good indeed. The Minister took tho opportunity of expressing his eratitudo to the Dental Department for tlic quality of work being performed.