SOLDIERS' DEPENDANTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16234, 20 May 1916, Page 8

SOLDIERS' DEPENDANTS

TREATMENT OF TEETH.

DENTISTS' ATTITUDE.

The proposed treatment of the teeth of soldiers* dependants was a subject brought up by a deputation from the honorary staff of the Dental Hospital which waited upon the Finance Committee of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday morning. Reference to a letter received from the Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Belief Association, stating that cases had come under the notice of the Relief Committee in which the teeth of soldiers' dependants required attention, was made by Dr. J. H. Bishworth. The letter I suggested that sach cases be treated at the Dental Hospital, and that, in the 1 case of treatment of a genuine soldier's dependant, who was not in a position to pay, the charge be pavable bv the j Patriotic Association, at hospital "rates. iln Dr. Rizhworth's opinion, the request j was unreasonable. Money had been subscribed EberaDy by the public to the i Patriotic Association for the purpose of looking after soldiers' dependants, and it was their duty to do so. The Dental Association was already " footing the bill" for recruits* dental work. They were paid only for material used. It would be i obvious to the Hospital Committee that the Dental Association was doing that ! work gratuitously, and he certainlv did not think it fair that it should now be asked to make a further contribution in that way. Dr. H. Cox said that there were already a number of charitable institutions and homes, the inmates of which were treated j at the Dental Hospital, and he thought | that it would be fairer in many cases I if the controlling bodies paid a number j of private practitioners to do the work. Mr. M. J. Coyle, chairman of the HosI pita! Board, promised that the matter I would receive consideration.