SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20235, 20 April 1929, Page 14

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

VERY POPULAR SERVICE.

MANY APPLICATIONS MADE.

STAFF NOT YET AVAILABLE.

" Tho school dental service is proving so popular that we have 250 applications from all parts of New Zealand for clinics," the Minister of Health, Hon. A. J, S'tnllworthy, said yesterday when a deputation from the Whitford School Committee asked for a clinic in that district. " Wo cannot acccdo to nil tho requests because we have not got tho staff for tho clinics," the Minister continued. " The system has been developed slowly but sanely. In the first year 20 nurses were trained and iii tho succeeding two years another 10. Last year wo had 40 in training. I have asked tho Cabinet to extend tlie servico and to provide more nurses, but the matter has not yet been finalised. It looks as if tho service will develop into one of tho largest departments of tho State before it is finished." " Where the health of tho people is concerned cost should not be considered," a member of the deputation interjected. " That is what every department says with regard lo its work and acceptance of that idoa would involve tho country in expenditure up to £100.000,000," the Minister replied. "We are limited by what is possible, but there is no limit to our desire to do everything wo can for the children."

The Minister promised tlie deputation to sec whether attention could ho given to the children of Whitford at the clinics at Papakura or Otahuhu, in which case the residents. would probably he called upon to assist with transport, as was being provided in other places similarly situated. The travelling clinic, such as used to visit Whitford, had been reported to him as a costly method of giving an inefficient service. It might be possible to develop something on tho lines of baso clinics in the more populous districts with subbases in those towns where there wore not so many children to receive attention. SERVICE AT PUKEKOHE. COMMENCEMENT NEXT WEEK. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN corespondent. 1 , PUKEKOHE. Friday. The erection of the dental clinic at the Pukekohe school is now completed, and tho building is ready for occupation. Nurse Montcfiore lufs been appointed to conduct tho clinic, and is expected to take up her duties during the latter part of next week. The clinic will serve the schools over a radius of several miles.