Media Release
26 February 2004

Dental Care For Children Disappearing

“Primary school children referred to dentists for treatment that cannot be provided by the school dental service are often going untreated because not enough dentists have signed contracts to provide Special Dental Benefits with DHBs,” said New Zealand First health spokesperson, Barbara Stewart.

“Free dental care is a thing of the past in many areas for high school students and it is becoming difficult to obtain in some areas for under 12s as well when they are referred for treatment by a dental therapist. Dentists are unable to provide free treatment and unless parents are able to pay this group of children is going untreated,” said Mrs Stewart.

“Those with acute problems can end up on waiting lists for treatment at public hospitals and the original problem is left untreated.

“This neglect can lead to unnecessary health problems further down the track and in a developed country this should not be happening.

“In view of the increasing number of adolescents and children who are going untreated a comprehensive oral health strategy for children and young people needs to be implemented as soon as possible,” said Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>