THE DENTAL CLINIC

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17179, 8 February 1930, Page 6

THE DENTAL CLINIC

PUBLIC SUPPORT LACKING SERVICE MAY; BE WITHDRAWN There is a distinct likelihood that- the dental clinic in Gisborne, which has been doing excellent work for the past few years among the school children, will be closed down and the service withdrawn. The committee appointed recently to organise the affairs of the clinic and its finances lias received only the slightest of support from the public, and while the committee is prepared to carry on the work, the question of funds will decide matters within the next few weeks. The school dental clinic in Gisborne was founded some years ago through the efforts, of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, which body found a sum of money annually for part of the expenses. Last year it was intimated that the board could no longer meet this annual expense, and that the clinic must he taken over by a local committee, if it. was desired that the work should go on. After some' objections from local sources had been answered convincingly, tlie committee was formed, and in December an appeal was made to the public for finance. The suggestions of the Health Department were to the effect that a- clinic on modern lines bo erected in a central position, preferably on the grounds of the main school, tlie cost to be approximately £360, of which the department offered to pay twn•thirds. The building would thus mean on outlay of about £l2O Tor the..local committee to commence operations. Tlie general expenses which the committee would have to shoulder would amount to £4O to £6O a. year in addition to the, building cost. The appeal asked for a fund of £SOO, which would meet all immediate expenses and provide a sufficient working balance, but when the committee met last evening it was reported that the total subscriptions received to date amounted to only £7 Bs. During the discussion it was remarked that the public generally does not. appreciate the amount of work done by [the clinic staff, or (lie mlluem-e which that work lias upon (lie liealt.li of scliooli children. The Health Department., under whose jurisdiction the clinic tails, pays the salaries of the nurses, and finds [the equipment- and material necessary to [the work, hut the local committee is relied on to find one-third of the building cost and also the upkeep charges. The amount to be expended by the committee is small compared with the value of the clime’s work, as will he realised when it, is slated that last year 1500 children were inspected and treated at < Jisliornc. II was argued that if Gisborne allowed the. clinic to close down for lack of financial support it would not only east a slur on the reputation oil the town tor progressive spirit, but would render the resuscitation and extension of the work at any future time very difficult. Hie Hawke’s Bay Education Board supported the clinic foi* years, realising its great value, and Gisborne should lie willing to take up a burden which, in relation to its value lo the community, is comparatively negligible. A further appeal is to be made to parents of pupils in the various schools, and to the general public in tlie hope that a better response will he forthcoming, and that the closing down of. the clinic will be averted. One point that has been emphasised in connection with tho clinic is that its support must, he entirely independent of the funds of the respective town and suburban schools. The clinic must stand on its own feet, without support from the school funds.