DENTAL CLINICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22832, 17 March 1936, Page 14

DENTAL CLINICS

IMPORTANCE IN SCHOOLS EMPHASISED BY MINISTER (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 1.0. The importance of school dental clinics was emphasised by the Minister of Education, Mr P. Fraser, when on a visit of inspection to the Bcresford Street School, which has been without a dental clinic for nearly three years as the £3O required towards the cost had not been raised by the School Committee. Mr Fraser said that if the health of the children were to be built up it was necessary that their teeth should be attended to. Many districts had shown their willingness to assist, and' they received preference where possible. He expressed surprise that the amount had not been raised. The chairman of the School Committee, Mr H. Benfell, said that the capitation for both the Beresford Street and the Napier Street Schools, which were controlled by the same committee, amounted to about £3OO a year, and it was difficult to meet all the expenses out of that sum.

The Minister said, that school capitation grants were now being considered by the Government and he suggested that, if the committee received a little more fpr capitation, it might relieve the pressure and place the committee in a position of finding the necessary funds for a dental clinic. He pointed out, however, that the Government could not ignore those schools that had raised funds for the care of the children’s teeth.

The Minister referred to the Government’s proposals for a national health scheme, and said that the care of the teeth would have every consideration. Provision was being made for 10 additional dental nurse trainees, and when the accommodation and equipment were provided another 10 would be employed. Mr Fraser said that the Government was hoping to arrange for a scheme covering up to perhaps seven years, when at the end of that time the whole country would be provided with dental clinics.