DENTAL TROUBLES OF THE POOR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10960, 1 May 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

DENTAL TROUBLES OF THE POOR

A' SUGGESTED SCHEME*

In a letter laid before the Wellington arid Wairarapa Charitable Aid Board, M v Mouiton, dental surgeon, unfolded a .plan of his own for dealing with the dental troubles of the Wellington poor. Mr Mouiton wrote on the subject as follows : — "Even the lowest dental fees are absolutely beyond. the purse of the poor mail or woman, who can scarcely pay the weekly rent,. and undoubtedly on this account there is. much suffering patiently endured. My sympathies are. with these people. I any-willing. to give my time and energies, "and any talent or skill which T possession their behalf. I am m possession of a complete dental outfit, and if the means should be forthcoming I am willing to place myself and outfit at the service of those I desire to benefit, my only stipulation being that such services should be absolutely free of all cost to all who desire to obtain them. . . I should only ask for suffi--1 cient to enable me to carry on this work, and to provide a sufficiency, for my housej.nold.' It was originally my intention to address myself to the dental profession, | but feeling that the true spirit of professionalism is to do good to our fellowttien, | irrespective of recompense, I am sure that I not only have the hearty support I of the dentists, but I am equally certain that if an appeal were made for funds to establish such an institution as I have attempted herein to outline they would be the first to coriie forward with financial assistance. The chairman (Mr R. C. Kirk) said there was a good deal m what Mr Mouiton said as to the fact that the poor riad Jiractically to endure their dental troUbes. There was a dental surgeon attached to the hospital, and he was willing to treat cases there. Anyone" who received an order that he or she: was m indigent circumstances f could obtain free dental treatrrient at the hospital. Mr Moulton's offer was one which niight be: considered iri connection with the Benevolent or some other institution. Any pior Eerson could get a tooth drawn at the ospital without an order. He did riot think it would be amiiss if Mr Mouiton were to call on him and see whether anything could be done m the matter It might be possible for the. board to place a small sum of money on the tstimates m connection with such, a scheme as Mr Mouiton had formulated. The Board agreed that the Chairman and Mr Moultoii should confer on the subject.