HEALTH OF PUPILS

Southland Times, Issue 19656, 5 October 1922, Page 6

HEALTH OF PUPILS

SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 4. Insistence that the health of the pu|*il should be treated a* the fin* plank in the educational platform was the main note struck by the Hon. C. J. Parr at the opening of additions at the Avondale South School. Io spend money in cramming children with knowledge and _to neglect their bodies was largely waste, and the Government had now recognised the health of the pupil as the find consideration in education. Next year another tmf>ort.ajrt. department of the school health service would be inaugurated, the dental service. The Government had undertaken the training of 33 dental nurses at Wellington. A two years’ intensive course bad been provided, and the nurses would deal with the teeth of school children only. Two years ago there was great opposition to the employment of women for this work, but ths New Zealand Dental Association, to its credit, had recognised the danger lurking in the fact that 80 jk»t cent, of school children had bad teeth for which no treatment was provided. It had given the scheme its unselfish support, and had made its realisation poaible. Doctors and othcra who had seen the work of the dental nurses had expressed satisfaction with their attainments. The nurses would be sent out next year to the different cities, towns and country districts. Expenditure in this direction was justified, because the workea with a large family could not meet tb dentist’s bill for his children.