DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1031, 6 December 1917, Page 5

DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN.

PROPOSED CLINIC AT HOSPITAL. At tho meeting of the Palmerston Hospital Board to-day, tho following report; was received from Mr T. G. Stockwoll, on behalf of the Palmerston branch of tho Now Zealand Dental Association, on tho proposed establishment of a dental clinia at the hospital: "Wo visited the hospital, and consider the sitting room in tho old nurses' home a suitable room, provided more light wero provided and water laid on. The estimated cost as per list attached is, say, £l5O for instruments and plant. This estimate does not provide) for any appliances for mechanical work. Wo would suggest that the Board allow £2OO, which would cover a complete, outfit, sufficient to start with. We consider that, for a start, thero should lx> two attendances of one denial surgeon per week, say Tuesday and Friday. If the Board should decide to establish tho dental clinic, wo aro prepared to arrange the dental attendance." Mrs Crabb asked if the proposed dental chair could not be placed more centrallv. somewhere in the town, so that it would bo convenient, to all local residents and their children. Dr. Whitaker said Mrs Crabb's suggestion was a good one, but he did not think that a further establishment should bo created. This would mean expense, and, at the present time, the Board should avoid that. He thought that there would bo no objection to treating the children at tho hospital. It was quite adjacent to the town, and should not bo too far away for those requiring treatment. The chairman said ho was strongly of opinion (and he agreed with what Mr Hornblow had stated a few days ago), that every child should have the opportuniiy ot' having its teeth examined. The present scheme was only a small one, and ha thought it would be a good temporary expedient until a larger scheme were brought in perhaps by the Government. It was generally agreed that the teeth of the children of New Zealand were bad, and soma dental scheme would have to bo adopted before long. Mr J. W. Bramwcll said ho did not think that tho Board should go on with their scheme at present, seeing that it would serve only a small district. Mrs Crabb considered that the matter was of such importance that the Board should communicate with tho Education Department and ask that a dental chair bo set up in overy school in New Zealand. 'The chairman said he was confident that the Board's scheme would provo money well spent. ' Mrs Gill: Who are the children to bo benefited '! , The chairman: Those who come to get their teeth attended to. ■ Mrs Gill: Yes, but I moan what class of children. I understood that only children whoso parents received a certain income were to bo treated. The chairman said that was so. Mrs Gill said she thought that the distance tho hospital was from the town would defeat the object of the. scheme, because neoplo would bo put to expense in reaching tho hospital. This view was supported by Mr Moody. Mr W G Pearco said he considered that if a chair was to be set up in Palmerston, why not one in Foilding and I-oxton also so "as to serve, the people in all parte' ot tho hospital district. Mr J H Vincent said the question was a vcrv big one, and on his mohon further consideration was adjourned till next meeting. _—