SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20595, 20 June 1930, Page 14

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS.

Sir, —" C.C." writes regarding children; in private schools being excluded from free dental treatment, which is given to children in the State or public schools. Some three or four years ago the first of dental clinics made their appearanea in tho public schools in Auckland. These clinics wero erected by money subi scribed by parents of certain school districts, concerts and entertainments being given from time to time by bands of energetic parents and workers. When completed, ready for, use, these clinics not being authorised and built By tho State had to be maintained. Quoting Edendalo Clinic, which I believe was ono of tho first, tho cost ot dental treatment for each child was in the vicinity of 6s Bd, this being sufficient to give each child dental treatment while in the primary department. Now, I quoto to " C.C." tho way in which tho so-called freo State public school clinics are erected and maintained. Most of the clinics being erected in tho public schools in and around the Auckland educational districts &ro what wo term ono or twochair clinics. These clinics aro being erected by the Stato department. The necessary equipment, such as dental chair, instruments, and electric hot-water service aro also installed, tho dental ofiicev in chargo being maintained by tli9 State. Tho cost of requirements to maintain a on&chair clinic, sucli as furnishing, dressing and material and towels, also regular cleaning, amounts to approximately £l2 to £ls per half-year. This cost will have to bo footed by tho school itself, seeing that tho quarterly school maintenance allowance to the committee is not sufficient; to cover it. The cornmitteo will have to get together, with the assistance of the parents, and find waya and means of raising thft necessary money* Tho only ,children eligiblo for treat* ment at theso clinics are from primary department, or children who have already received treatment at other schools prior to tho erection of the Slate clinics. I understand that .some of the clinics will only have tho services oJ the dental officer for six. months of the year. My answer to " U.C." is. I think parents who do not wish to avail themselves of the freo State education in New Zealand and . send their children to privato schools, and in somo schools have to pay for them, should most certainly | be deprived and excluded from any such J benefits. If the standard of education in the State schools is not sufficient for their children, naturally ono would presume Vj those parents would have the same opinion of our State dental clinics, and object ;.Vj to their children being treated free ox ' | chargo. F.M. ||