§ Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the severe incidence of dental caries among children, owing to the continuing inadequacy of the school dental service; and what steps he is taking to correct this.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonI am aware that the incidence of dental caries among schoolchildren is increasing. The prevention of caries must be the responsibility in the first instance of the children themselves and their parents. The School Dental Service is short of dentists but every effort is made by local education authorities to recruit additional staff.