DENTAL PROBATIONERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 6

DENTAL PROBATIONERS

A BUSY CLINIC HEAVY DEMAND FOR TRAINED NURSES PARENTS REALISE RESPONSIBILITIES A visit to the Health Departments dental clinic in Whitmore street yesterday found about a score of dental chairs occupied by youngsters of from five to twelve years of age, while & dozen or so more were waiting their turns. Inquiries revealed that the staff or the clinic is so busily engaged, and hap such a heavy list of appointments that no new cases—except.those of urgency —can be taken until early next month. There are 48 probationers there, 20 of whom have completed tlieir first year’s training, and will complete their second year in March, when they will he dispersed to various parts of the Dominion to carry on the preventive work they have been trained’ io do. The other 28 making excellent progress in their first year, and are very happy in the work they are doing. PLENTY OF APPLICANTS There is never a shortage of applicants to join the ranks of the probationers at the Wellington clinic, which seems to indicate that girls and young women regard the profession as a desirable one. and one which offers them a remunerative career provided they succeed in their training. So also there no dearth of applications from school districts for the services of probationers who have passed their final examinations; many more than the department is able to meet. As the trainees become available general policy of the department is to. place them in positions where they will do the greatest good for the greatest number. but sympathetic consideration is given to the needs of those living in the backblocks by placing some of the nurses in communities accessible from the bush country by a reasonable motor-car journey.

Parents are realising more and moTo the importance of early and treatment for dental diseases, and even when the sufferer is such a tender age as three years the department’s help and advice is gladly given. The principle is that prevention is better than cure, so that the earlier any trouble is dealt with and prpventive methods adopted the less likelihood is there of a recurrence.