APATHY OF PARENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 136, 9 May 1933, Page 9

APATHY OF PARENTS

CHILDREN’S DENTAL TREATMENT. Regret at the apathy being shown by parents of children attending the College Street School in the matter of securing dental treatment for their children was expressed by Colonel J. H. AVhyto, chairman of the School Committee, at its meeting last evening. He stated that only G 4 children had enrolled and 18 exemptions had been granted during the year out of a roll of over 400 pupils. All who had applied for exemption from the payment of the dental fee of 4s last year had been granted it. “There seems to be something radically wrong and the parents do not seem to take the necessary interest,’ Colonel AVhyte added. There were about 100 of the present primer children eligible for treatment and over 100 of those who last year received treatment.

Mr AV. F. Cutler: A lot of people would not ask for exemption, though they could not afford to pay. You cannot alter human nature.

Colonel AVhyte : AA T e have only turned one case down since the clinic came to College Street School. It is annoying to find no interest taken. It was pointed out that only the headmaster and the chairman knew the persons desiring exemption and there was thus no fear of confidences being made public. Colonel AVhyte stated that the work being done was very good and was cheap. “It concerns me to think that a service so cheap and capable is not availed of, especially in these times,” he added.

The committee expressed agreement that greater interest in the school’s dental clinic should be exercised by th parents concerned.