DENTAL SERVICE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 78, 1 March 1929, Page 2

DENTAL SERVICE

CENTRAL CLINIC ADVOCATED. EXTENSION OF ACTIVITIES. Affirmation of the principle of the establishment of a central dental clinic at Palmerston North in order to extend the benefits of the service to the country schools surrounding this centre was made unanimously at the meeting of the Combined Primary Schools’ Committees’ Association held last evening, when it was stated that already 1400 children from tho town schools were on the register of the present clinic. The special committee set up to consider the dental clinic question reported that, after a free and full discussion embracing all aspects of dental clinic requirements for the district, the following resolutions were carried unanimously. “That in the opinion of this committee the time is opportune for approaching the department for increased dental clinic facilities and more room. “That tho establishment of a central group dental clinic _in Palmerston North to serve the primary schools in the town, and also the country schools adjacent to Palmerston North, is much to be desired. “That the association be recommended to ask the country schools adjacent to Palmerston North to send representatives to the next meeting of the association to fully discuss the proposal contained in the previous resolution. “That a strong deputation from the association take the first opportunity of bringing this important matter before the Minister of Education, the deputation to be introduced by Messrs J. A. Nash, M.P., and J. Linklater, M.P.” Tho report was adopted. THE PRESENT POSITION. Outlining the position, the chairman (Mr S. W. Oliver) stated that the present clinic at the Central School was available rent free, and the cost to each school concerned was only £4 or £5 yearly, for cleaning purposes, but it had been suggested that better facilities be provided in order that tho scope of a clinic could be extended to the adjacent country schools. In the present building tire nurses had no privacy, and better accommodation should bo provided for parents who wero compelled to wait in a draughty corridor. Probably tho committees would agree to pay the cost of slight alteration to remedy that for the present. Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., had advocated a central clinic to provide for the surrounding country schools. At present the service was available only for the five schools in the town, and the advantages should be extended to tho country schools. It was very desirable that the erection of a central clinic be secured, together with the services of one or two additional nurses. The proposal was fully supported by Mr Alex. Clark who stated that the present facilities were adequate to enable an extension of the activities to be made to the country schools. THE RURAL SCHOOLS. Mr W. L. MacPherson added his support, stating that every effort should be made to obtain the full backing of the country schools, with whose assistance a few hundred pounds should not he beyond reach. The Government subsidy on freehold property amounted to £2 for £l. Mr IV. B. Cameron stated that, by an unfortunate oversight, invitations to be present at the meeting had not been forwarded to all the country schools, which realised tho benefits which would accrue to them, and they should be given an opportunity of participating in the discussion. In the first place, tho present clinic was principally established for town needs, blit the country claims had to bo recognised. Mr J. A. Nash had given an assurance of his support, and had urged that the matter be proceeded with without delay. The speaker sug. gested that the Borough Council should subsidise a central clinic, and that an appeal he made to other bodies to assist the movement. At least eight schools in tho Manawatu .electorate needed attention. The department would probably approve of a central clinic and should provide the funds for the building, and a deputation should place tho position clearly before the Minister. Mr C. 11. Whitehead urged that immediate action be taken to affirm the principle with the view to attaining the object sought. Tho time was now most opportune for the centralisation movement, to embrace country schools within a radius of about 15 miles. Great interest was being evinced in the free dental services provided for children. Personally ho thought that tho Education Department should erect central buildings entirely at its expense, as the inadequate nature of the school capitation grants precluded extensive financial assistance being ren. dered by the schools concerned. The demand was growing daily and the present facilities would soon bo insufficient for tho town requirements alone. * The representative of the Whakarongo School (Mr W. Wood) fully endorsed tho statements made, and assured the association of support,, and a similar expression was forthcoming from Mr T. D. Lynch (Linton). DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. It was resolved that a meeting of all the representatives of the schools concerned —town and country—be called at the earliest possible notice to set up a special committee to form a deputation to wait upon the Minister for Education. It was pointed out that at present the only obligation which would fall on the country schools was the provision of their share of the bare maintenance charges for lighting, heating, etc. The association deferred approval of the expenditure of £3O on alterations to the present clinic in the meantime.