DENTAL TREATMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19450, 14 December 1934, Page 8

DENTAL TREATMENT

SCHOOL CLINICS SERVICE. USEFUL WORK IN HAMILTON. INCREASE IN ROLL NUMBERS. Delegates from the Hamilton West, Wliitiora, Frankton, Hamilton East and Forest Lake Schools were present at the bi-annual meeting of the Hamilton Schools Dental Clinic Committee at the Hamilton West School last evening, the chairman, Mr H, M. Baker, presiding. The fact that the operations of the clinics had been fully maintained, and the service was flourishing despite a drastic reduction made in the fee at the beginning of the year was commented upon by Mr Baker, in reviewing the first six montjis of the committee’s year. “When we decided to reduce the clinic fee from 3s Gd to 2s 6d we all realised that we were taking a risk, but we' thought that risk was justilled,” said Mr Baker. The committee hoped that by making the fee for treatment as low as possible they would induce more children to come under the care of the clinics’ service, and the speaker thought that the step taken had achieved the desired; results. The number of children receiving treatment had increased from 1039 to 1321, while the fees collected in 1933-34 amounted to £167 12s 6'd, compared with £lB2 2s in the previous year. Results Satisfactory.

“It will be seen that although the numbers have increased, the total money collected is 'slightly below' last year’s figures,” added the speaker. “However, there are .still several pounds to come in, and I think the results are very satisfactory.” \ The fee of 2s 6d charged in Hamilton was among the lowest in New Zealand, and when that was considered, it must be seen that wonderful work was being done for a small .sum. The committee felt that although - it had been a long-and difficult task to overcome the Government’s mistake of making the clinics free, and then imposing a charge, they had at .last reached a solid basis, and with a low and convenient fee the number of children should build up over the next year or two.

The Director of Dental Hygiene in the Dominion, Mr J. Saunders, visited Hamilton recently in company with Mr F. B. Rice, the Auckland supervisor, and inspected the two clinics. Both expressed themselves a 3 very pleased with the work being done by the nurses and the committee. The clinics had been kept up-to-date, and necessary equipment purchased. ' Mr Baker referred to the retirement through ill health of Nurse V. Jolly-, who was stationed at the Hamilton East clinic for a number of years, and be paid a warm tribute to her valuable service over a period of years. Nurse Jolly’s place was taken by Nurse Mayo, of. Papakura. Concluding his review Mr Baker said that practically every school in the dental clinics territory had been enrolled, Indicating that the service was appreciated. A statement of receipts and expenditure for the half year, disclosed a credit balance of £53 9s id, the chairman commenting that the committee’s financial position was in a fairly healthy state.

Department’s Policy.

Correspondence \vas v receivecj from the Department of Health stating that it was the intention of the 'department to adhere strictly to its decision to refuse further treatment to any child who missed treatment or failed to pay the clinic fee for a year. This would apply to the. primer children, as well as the standards and it was pointed out that even if the ffee was paid, the children would be debarred from additional treatment if they missed two consecutive treatments, without adequate excuse. It was decided to recommend to the Government that the Piako Road school be enrolled for treatment at one of the local clinics. The fee for the coming year was fixed at 2s 6d per child, which was the levy ruling this year. It was decided that in future the committee’s year should close on December 31.