CORRESPONDENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1932, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

NEW PLYMOUTH DENTAL CLINIC.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Kindly allow me space to briefly present the position from the dental clinic committee’s point of view. It is true that the West End committee contributed its share, in common with all the other schools affected, to the erection of the new clinic building and has also agreed to pay its quota for the running of the clinic last year. Mr. Jones says they have to find. £l3 to make up the difference between the amount collected and the quota required by the clinic. So have the other scuools in proportion. But why did not the West End committee do as the Central, Fitzroy, Westown and other committees do, that is, circularise the parents concerned in reference to the levy required and, failing the receipt of such, strike those names off the dental, clinic roll, and if such were done their levy for this year would be only for those who paid, their levy last year, thus ensuring the collection of practically the whole amount levied. New entrants are treated somewhat differently, as on signing the consent form the parent must also forward the 2s Gd required or no treatment will ensue. The authority of the department is behind the method outlined. Mr. Jones says that “the dental clinic committee in taking the responsibility of refusing treatment to every West End child who is willing to pay 2s Gd per year for treatment is attempting to fasten that responsibility on the shoulders of the school committee.” It must be obvious that without the co-opera-tion and support of school committees and headmasters, which we gratefully acknowledge from the other schools .associated. with the clinic, it would be. impossible for the dental clinic committee to carry out its duties, and therefore we had. no option, in view of the West End committee’s resolution of March 11, but to accept it as a notice of severance from the clinic operations. Possibly such was not intended, or the resolution was arrived at without careful consideration. We trust that they will see that the responsibility is really theirs and not deprive the children of their school of the benefits of this fine social service.—l am, etc.,

FRED A. COLEMAN, Chairman, Dental Clinic Committee.