SERVICE EXTENDED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 197, 22 July 1941, Page 4

SERVICE EXTENDED

SCHOOL DENTAL WORK.

SAFEGUARDING HEALTH. (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, July 21. Plans leading to iurtlier important ■developments in tlie extension ot the school dental service are being prepared by the Health Department, according to a statement made by the Minister of Health (Mr Nordmeyer). “We arc in a position to take steps to increase the field service to cover the upper standards of our primary schools.” said the Minister, ‘‘and I have already directed that, wherever tlie circumstances permit, treatment will be continued into Standard V. this year.”

Remarking that reports received by him from officers of the Dental Division marked the culmination of a period ol unprecedented activity in the work of the School Dental Service, Mr Nordmoyer stressed the need for developing it further. While the aim of the department was to prevent dental as well as oUier diseases, it had to be recogni ed that, a vast amount' ol dental disease already existed and had to be treated. The education side, however, was reee'/.'ng close attention, as was shown by the fact that last year the number of talks and other activities carried out bv the field staff numbered more than 3000. The results achieved by the School Dental Service were one of the most gratifying reatures of the department’s activities, Mr Nordmeyer said. Two new records had been set by the service. The number of children receiving treatment throughout the Dominion was now more than 115,000,. and for tlie lirst time in the history of the service operations had exceeded 1.000 000 in a. year. That was a striking tribute to the work being done in caring for the dental health of the children. The scope oi the work was be-t illustrated by saying that 1,000 000 operations a year meant approximately 5000 for each school day. Another highly significant fact is that for every 100 fillings done extractions amount to only II.G lor both first and permanent teeth. For permanent teeth alone the ratio is 0.97 extractions, or less than one tooth extracted for every 100 fillings. In the first year of the service 114 extractions were made for every 100 fillings. r I he trikinglv low figure now demonstrates clearly that systematic attention to the teeth of the child will result in more of the natural teeth being saved and in the long run will ensure a hotter state of physical fitness. The aim of the Government was to bring the service within roach of the entire school and eventually eater for post primary schools as well. Mr Nordmeycr said. While the department was (Icing its best to keep the children’s teeth healthy its efforts would be largely wasted if parents did not carry on the good work after the boys and girls left school. Most parents a.ppre ciated their responsibility, but he j seriously appealed ior co-operation to: the minority who through indifference I or carele-sness let years of treatment go for noth'ng.