DENTAL SCHOOL FINANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15552, 6 September 1912, Page 6

DENTAL SCHOOL FINANCE.

HOSPITAL BOARD'S ATTITUDE.

The lengthy communication which Drs Scott and Fickcrill have forwarded to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Hoard adducing reasons why tho Ixwrd should contribute to tho maintenance of tho Dental School was considered by Hospital Board mombcrs «t their meeting last night. On the subject being opened for discussion Mr Clark moved-" That tho letter bo referred to the Finance Committee, for u report." Mr Williamson seconded.

Mr Myers moved as an. amendment— "That this board set up a committee, consisting of the chairman of the board and tho chairman of the Finance- and Benevolent Committees, tho medical supcrink-n----dnl, and tho mover, to confer with Drs Scott and Pickorill, with the object of bringing up a report containing boiuo recommendation at next meeting of tho board." Mr Mjors explained that the time had now arrived when the hoard should consider its position with regard to tho ■Pent*] Hospital and its relation to tho General Hospital and the other institutions of which the board had charge. Tho Dental Hotpittil .existed in a dual capacity —for tho treatment of aural diseases and also for tho instruction of students in dentistry and dental surgery. In regard to tho /irst matter of treating general dental eases—treatment thoy should givo only to tho poor and needy, he thought that the board, being guardians for the sick poor, as it were, should make somo provision for nund treatment nt the school by specially trained men. But if they were to get a certain amount of control, and if thoy were to send there indiscriminately their poor ptients requiring treatment, it was only fair and reasonable thnt they should pay n cerliiin amount of Ike cost. ]lo thought that if the conference he had suggested took place those participating in it should bo able to devise, some scheme that would be for the mutual benefit of the board, tho University, the public, and tto patients. If they only recognised the Dental School as purely a part of the University, wlicro they gave instruction to students, those 'n cliargq of tho school might very well say that they declined to treat any patients except those required for clinical instruction. If tho school did not accept a subsidy from the Government, nnd did not canvass for public subscriptions, thoso at the head of it would be quito entitled to charge anything they liked for treating patients. But such . a step would bo a retrograde one, becnuso they did not alone wish to cure, but to nssist; in tho prevention of aural disease. Ho hoped that the conference, should it eventuate, would be productive of somo good result..

Mr Clark said that lie was prepared to withdraw lits motion in favour of ,Mr Myers's amendment. but Mr Wilkinson ob-jccl-otf, saying that lie would prefer to seo the matter referred to tho Finance Committee. ,

On being put to the vote, Mr Myers's amendment was carried with ono dissentient voice.