TOOTH-BRUSH DRILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18273, 14 December 1922, Page 11

TOOTH-BRUSH DRILL.

REPLY TO CRITICISM.

MEDICAL OFFICER'S VIEWS

The vexed question of tooth-brush drill in the schools, which has been vigorously opposed by certain Auckland 'headmasters, was considered by the Education Board again yesterday.

The meeting was attended by Dr. C. H. Davies, school medical officer, who replied to various objections to the scheme brought forward by a deputation of headmasters, which recently waited on the board. Some of these he described as so trifling as to be unworthy of serious consideration. If, as one master had stated, it had taken his teachers 25 minutes to put through the drill, this was simply a reflection on his organisation, for in the largest school in Wanganui the drill did not take more than 10 minutes. The doctor emphasised that in the 27 schools where the drill had been instituted, it was working quite satisfactorily, and a marked improvement in the health of the children- had in some cases been noted.

Various arguments, for and against the proposal, wore reiterated by members of tbe board, some taking the stand that the use of the toothbrush was essentially a matter for parental enforcement, not for the teachers. Against this, other members placed the fact that unless the teachers enforced the drill, dental neglect would continue unabated, to the great detriment of not only the present, but also of the next generation.

Incidentally, it was revealed by Dr. Davies that a sad breach of cleanliness in t]ie matter of heads as well as teeth was frequently condoned by headmasters, notwithstanding the fact that the expulsion from the school of any child showing such evidence of neglect was required bv' Health Department, regulations. "This information caused some surprise to members, and it was decided that the attention of headmasters should be drawn at once to these regulations. The matter of toothbrush drill will bo further discussed at a conference between members of the board, Dr. Davies, and members of the Headmasters' Association.