SCHOOL DENTAL WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19736, 8 September 1927, Page 13

SCHOOL DENTAL WORK.

BENEFIT TO THE CHILDREN. CARAVAN IN THE COUNTRY. USE TO BE DISCONTINUED. Appreciation of the work done by dental clinics was expressed at a meeting of the Education Board yesterday, when members objected to the proposal of tho department to discontinue running the dental caravan in the Auckland district, Tho department notified that tho use of caravans to bring dental treatment to back-block children had been referred to the Director of Dental Hygiene, who had replied to the effect that the Auckland district ambulance was not considered satisfactory for various reasons and that it was not proposed to continue to use it for the purpose. The department added that a satisfactory means of reaching more remote schools had yet to be devised, but this would be given consider*at.ion as soon as the present difficulties of staff limitations could be overcome. Mr. F. A. Snell said when the Minister of Health was in Hamilton ho had been asked whether he would be in favour of increasing the number of caravans, and ho had replied in the affirmative. Tho Chairman, Mr. A. Burns: The director evidently does not think so. The board has considered that for remote schools the caravan would save expense. There has been a great demand for it. Mr. J. D. McKenzie said at clinics in the Whangarei district girls of only one year's experience were drawing teatln He did not consider it a very satisfactory position. Mr. H. S. W. King said the caravans came into use during the war and they had been found to serve the purpose as far as tho soldiers were concerned. It would be thought "that they would serve the children just as well. The department did not state its reason for taking away the caravan. Probably it was connected with finance. The opinion was expressed that the reason might be that caravans had to be in charge of a qualified dentist and there were not sufficient men available. Mr. J. Boddie said the establishment of a clinic at Te Kuiti had been hailed with delight. The clinics were most necessary as several parents, owing to their financial position, were not able to obtain dental treatment for their children. "It is a deplorable fact," he said, "that the funds of the department appear to be so limited. Almost everything that we ask for, no matter how reasonable, the department sees fit to postpone or refuse it. This is an endeavour to postpone what we think is very necessary. The board should make further efforts in this direction." "To my knowledge," said Mr. Burns, "the clinics are doing very good work." tho Health Department had found difficulty in obtaining enough operatives. However, there were a good number in training and the p6sition should be better next year. It was decided to approach the Director of Dental Hygiene with a view to retaining the caravan.