DENTAL CLINICS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19758, 13 December 1935, Page 5

DENTAL CLINICS

HAMILTON DISTRICT,

MORE CHILDREN TREATED.

ACTIVITIES OF COMMITTEE. The final meeting for the year of the Hamilton Schools’ Dental . Clinic Committee was held last evening at. the Hamilton West School, the chairman of the committee, Mr H. M. Baker presiding. Also present were Messrs N. Holden, A. Galbraith, J. Graham, D. Street and the secretary, Mr H. W. Fisher. The report on the activities of the committee -showed an increase in the number of children treated during the year. The nurse in charge of the Whitiora clinic had been absent for some time on sick leave, .resulting m the work fallipg behind at Whitiora. The nurse at Hamilton East clinic, also recently met with an accident which has prevented her from carrying out her duties. An assistant nurse attended the clinic for a short period to assist, in bringing the work up to date. Owing to the sickness among the nurses, treatment of new entrants has been delayed, but. all children who have paid the fee for this year and who have not received attention, will be treated next year. Shortage of Nurses.

Repeated application has been made to the Division, of Dental Hygiene for further assistance, but there are no nurses available for relieving purposes.

The action of the committee in reducing the fee for treatment to 2s 6d has been justified by the increased number of patients under treatment. The chairman stated that the fee is probably the lowest in the Dominion The result was an increase in numbei of patients. Increased numbers were treated from 11 schools under the Whitiora clinic and from 9 schools under the Hamilton East clinic. The total number treated last year was 1321 while the number treated this year was 139(5. an increase of 75. That the policy oi the committee in reducing the fee was justified had been proved by the sound position disclosed in the financial statement and by the increased number oi patients. It was decided that the sami fee be charged next year.

Fears that the nursing staff in 'Hamilton would be unable to cope with the increased number of patients should the five-year-old children be readmitted to the schools were expressed by members. It was pointed out, however, that while there is a shortage o* dental clinic nurses there is also a shortage of teachers which would probably prevent the immediate readmission of five-year-old children. II was resolved unanimously, however, in view of the increasing number o! patients at the two Hamilton clinics to apply for a fourth nurse.