SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC

Opunake Times, 9 April 1948, Page 2

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC

UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE CONFERENCE DECISION In spite of the long hours worked and the splendid services given by Opunake Dental clinic nurses in the past, the increasing school roll in the district" served by the clinic, together with lack' of alternative or relief facilities over the past few years, had caused dental attention among children to become as much as two years in arrears in some parts of the district, according to statements made at a conference of representatives of school committees held on Monday evening. .Mr. J. S. Hickey presided in the temporary absence of the Chairman of the Opunake School Committee. Present: Opunake School committee, headmaster and Mr. Jiliett, Messrs. Gibson and McQuaig (Kina Road), Morris and Wilson (Rahotu), Bishop and Phillips (Oaonui), Harris and Bennett (Te Kiri), Allan and Cathie (Pihama). Miss N. R. Hay, the dental nurse, was also present, Mr. Hickey welcomed the delegates and explained _ that the nurse at the local clinic was expected to attend to about 700 pupils and the work was naturally hopelessly behind. -Mr-. 11. E. Collins: stated that he had telephoned the district health office at Palmerston North and the reply pointed out that the department was short of trained nurses and the position was aggravated by nurses leaving to marry, a vacancy having’ occurred recently-at Wanganui East, owing to Nurse Martin's resignation. Miss Hay gave figures for the various districts and answered several questions. She emphasised that forms sent out to parents- (of children passing from standard 4 into Form I and II) for dental treatment at professional dentists should be filled in within I months in order to gain the free benefit. It was also the parent’s duty to arrange appointments with the dentist.

Some delegates were not even aware that outside treatment was available, and few realized the responsibility of the parents. . Mrs. Wright considered that it was a snare and a delusion. Parents were under the impression that their children were receiving treatment otherwise they would have made arrangements elsewhere. Mr. Cathie maintained that parents should know the position, which was becoming a serious problem and it should be given wide publicity. The possibility of the erection of the Rahotu Clinic was discussed a'hd it was agreed that while this clinic would not have sufficient pupils from Rahotu and Pungarehu to maintain a full time nurse, pupils from Kina Road and Oaonui schools could be treated at Rahotu and with part time service at Opunake, another nurse would greatly assist in relieving the Opunake nurse. Mr. Morris stated that the Rahotu committee had been pushing for a clinic very hard and he was pleased to say. that there was every chance of securing a tender for the work. Mrs. Wright, who said that the only practical course was to push behind Rahotu, was supported by several delegates and the following motion moved by Messrs. L. Morris and E, Phillips was carried: “That this conference of representatives of Opunake and district school committees expresses grave concern at the most unsatisfactory state of affairs in regard to the free dental service at the Opunake clinic for this district, and urges that the nurse, who would be in attendance at Rahotu, be made available to Opunake for the period in each year that she will not he needed at. Rahotu. With deutal services seriously in arrears in the district it was felt that in this way a definite improvement could be effected.”

Mrs. Wright felt that a meeting such as this at least once a month would be of great benefit in, discussing many school problems. Messrs. Harris and Bennett moved that a. meeting of all school, committee representatives in the Opunake High School district, and masters, be held about February of each year.—Carried.