DEFECTIVE TEETH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17297, 22 October 1919, Page 10

DEFECTIVE TEETH.

"DEPLORABLE CONDITION."

PUPILS IN STATE SCHOOLS.

QUESTION (JF TREATMENT.

The deplorable condition of the teeth of many of the school children of New Zealand, regarding which there has been considerable comment, was referred to by Dr. H. Davies. senior medical inspector of schools in the Auckland district, when making an appeal to the Auckland Hos- v pita] and Charitable Aid Board last evening on behalf of parents who are unable to afford dental treatment for their children.

Dr. DavieS said that since taking up the appointment of senior medicai inspector he had been struck ay the very large proportion of children suffering from defective teeth. This, he said, was a source of great danger tojiealth and a hindrance iij development of the growing child. At present the only means by winch parents could obtain treatment for their children wa s by paying a dentist or I applying to the Charitable Aid Hoard for treatment at the Dental Hospital. A great many of them availed themselves oi the latter, but there was a largo middio-class section not well enough oil: to pay a dentist and not poor enough to appiy for charitable aid. The medical inspectors, nurses, and headmasters could get a very correct idea of what the position of parents was, and he suggested that if the board would accept a We trom the medical inspector that a case was suitable for treatment at the Dental Hospital and let that be sufficient recommendation, it would enable a very largo number of children who badly required treatment to obtain, it-. He mentioned that every care would be taken to prevent any patients in a position to pay from getting iree treatment. *>""*>

Dealing with the condition of the teeth "L ,-^' en ' Dr - Davi said that of 340 children examined in tho last 22 days of August, 178 had defective teeth. This was in the city and suburban schools, but the position in the country was even worse. He asked that the board give this matter its very earnest consideration as it was very urgent an educated child without health, in his opinion, being in a worse position than a healthy one without education. The chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, said that the board some time ago tried the experiment of accepting patients on the certificates of headmasters, but found that children of well-to-do people were ' getting treatment and preventing poor children from receiving attention. That was stopped. No deserving case was refused, but, on the other hand, each case was treated on its merits and dealt with generously. j Mr. M. J. Savage said the board had not attempted to deal with the people ' mentioned by Dr. Davie?. He personally! knew of deserving people who hesitated i to go to the Charitable Aid Office. The State ought to face the whole question, ' but in the meantime something must be , done. Dr. Davie? asked that the board accept orders for treatment as suggested by him without requiring tho patients to go to the Charitable Aid Office, saving that the orders would be issued only after careful inquiry by the nurses. After further discussion, it was decided to refer the matter to the Charitable Aid Committee to formulate a workable scheme on the suggestions made by Dr. Daviiss, for the consideration of the board. j