DENTAL HYGIENE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17780, 13 May 1921, Page 4

DENTAL HYGIENE.

WORK IN THE SCHOOLS.

TRAINING THE NURSES.

SATISFACTORY START MADE.. [BT TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The Minister for Public Health, tha Hon. C. J. Parr, has received an interesting report for the year ending March 31 last regarding the administration of the division of dental hygiene. There ara at present six dental surgeons working in the public schools, and they have evi. dently been busy, as the following summary of operations from October to the end of March indicates: —Fillings, 5619; extractions, 3798; minor operation?, 1328; total, 10,745. In addition a ron-

siderable number of children have heeu examined and their teeth charted. Thia has resulted in the treatment of many cases by private practitioners or at hospitals. In the matter of accommodation for the school clinics both education boards and committees have been very sympathetic, and have done everything possible to assist the division. In these times of financial stress it is most satisfactory to note that up to the present practically no cost to the country has been entailed in providing the necessary accommodation, one board being so keenly interested in the movement as to place its own room at the disposal of the division for the dental surgery in its district. A considerable saving has also been effected through the foresight displayed in utilising the dental equipment used in connection with the war by the military authorities. Were such equipment purchased now it would cost from 75 to 100 per cent, above pre-war prices.

The Training School. An excellent start has been made in the training of the dental narses. In this matter the department has been fortunate in securing ideal accommodation for the training school in the well-lighted offices in Whitmore Street, , built during the war for the Defence Department. The part of the building occupied by the training school* has recently been vacated by the Defence Department, so that the only additional cost involved will be a small amount for fittings. For the main clinic a very Large room, airy and excellently lighted, will be fitted. In the meantime the S3 dental nurses, who are taking a probationary course, are being instructed in a separate class-room by the dental supervisor, Mr. E. Dunn.

To-day a Httr*t,t> representative paid a visit to the class at work- The girls appeared to be 3 very intelligent lot. They were following with keen interest a demonstration in chemistry, in which, together -with anatomy, plrysics, and biology, they will receive a fundamental training. Part of their time will bet occupied with work with the microscope, and later they will commence practical work, making sections of teeth and setting up teeth in "dummies," such as are made for dental students. Not until they have attained the necessary proficiency will they be trusted with small operations on children-

A Hostel Wanted. Several of the girls in the class have already had some experience in private dental surgeries, so they do not find themselves in altogether strange surroundings. Such of them as are able to hve with their own people get an allowance of £90 a year. Those who -come from other towns receive an additional £40 a year. These are the large majoritv, and they have to make their own arrangements for board and lodging in Wellington. It would be an excellent thing if they could be accommodated in a hostel of their own. Those who pass satisfactorily through the period of training will become dental nurses in the schools at a salary commencing at £220 and rising to ±j£bu per annum. Already a dental library is available to the students. Text books have been purchased, and Mr. Cecil Grey, dental surgeon, has presented a large number of «wl J™™**, and in addition has ft?l Tf 7 fine dental Kbrar y ™ loan to the department. In addition the director makes acknowledgment of a V erv handsome contribution. of chemical ~ ment,, material, and books from Mr. uunn, the supervisor thaVTt>, o medi< 2 1 ins PWtion has shown S£, ««», .natter of throat troubles among children attending the public working enthusiastically. M 1S