Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of New Zealand's School Dental service, started 100 years ago. Before the days of fluoridation and regular treatment, dental health was poor. Children had decaying and infected teeth, which was recognised as having adverse effects on health, nutrition and learning. From the 1920s, school dental clinics treated children whilst they were at school. Local people relate dread and pain when called to the school dental clinic.
The management of the service devolved to area health boards in the 1980s and 1990s.
