SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 65, 17 March 1936, Page 8

SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS

EXTENSION OF SCHEME [ Per Pr»»« Aasocial.on. J AUCKLAND. Al a reh 16. The importance of school dental Minies was emphasised by the Alinister of Education, Hon. P. Frase r , when on a visit of inspection Io the Beresford Street School, which has been without a dental ciinic for nearly three years, as the £3O required towards the cost had not been raised by lhe school committee. Mr Fraser said that if the health of the children were io be buil r up, it was necessa:y ibat their teeth should be attended to many districts nad shown their willingness to assist and they had received preference where possible. He expressed surprise that the amount had not been ra'sed The chairman of the School committee Mr H. E. Benfell, said that 'be eapViLon for both the Beresford St.eet and Napier Street school", was being controlled by the same committee and amounted to about- £309 a year, and it was difficult tu met t all the expenses out of that sum. Tho Minister said that school capitation grants were now be’ng considered by th? Government and he suggested that, if the committee received a little more for capitation it might relieve the pressure and place the committee in the position of finding the necessary funds for the dental clinic. He pointed out, however, that the Government could not ignore those schools that had raised funds for the care of thp children’# teeth. The Minister referred to the Gov eminent’s proposa's for a national health scheme arfd said lhat the care of the teeth would have every consideration. Provision was being made for ten additional dental nurse trainees and when the accommodation and equipment were provided another ten would be employed. Mr. Fraser said that the Government was hoping to arrange for a scheme covering up to pehaps seven years, when at the end of that tiive the whole country would be provided with dental clinics.