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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1986
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SHE SAID WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DENTAL SERVICE OFFERED WAS IN FACT THE LEAST OF WHAT AN ELDERLY PATIENT WANTED.
+WHAT THE ELDERLY DESIRE IS A GOOD SET OF DENTURES FOR HIM TO ADEQUATELY ENJOY HIS FOOD IN THE LAST YEARS OF HIS LIFE,+ SHE SAID.
SHE SUGGESTED THE GOVERNMENT TO LOOK INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF OFFERING DENTAL SERVICE TO THE SENIOR CITIZENS OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE FOLLOWING WAY:
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TO EXTEND THE SERVICES OF THE DENTAL THERAPIST NOW SERVICING SCHOOLCHILDREN, TO THE ELDERLY BY TEACHING THEM ORAL HYGIENE;
TO OFFER PART SUBVENTION IN THE FORM OF A REBATE TO THOSE EXISTING NON-PROFIT MAKING DENTAL CLINICS OF SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS WHEN THEY OFFERED DENTAL SERVICE TO ELDERLY PATIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 65 YEARS;
TO REDIRECT SOME OF THE DENTAL EXTRACTION CLINIC SESSIONS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, TO SERVICE THE DENTAL NEEDS OF ELDERLY PATIENTS.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD MENTAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH IN OLD AGE WAS ALSO EMPHASISED.
+ELDERLY PEOPLE MUST GET OUT OF THE HOUSE, MEET PEOPLE, KEEP IN CONTACT, KEEP IN TUNE, ENJOY THE LEISURE OF LIFE, FEEL USEFUL AND CONTRIBUTORY ... BÉ CONTRIBUTORY.
BE
+WE MUST AS A COMMUNITY DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO ENSURE
THAT ELDERLY PERSON CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS.
+WE MUST ENSURE THAT THEY CAN MOVE ABOUT SAFELY DESPITE THEIR PHYSICAL DISABILITY. WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT THEIR FAILING VISION IS COMPENSATED WITH GLASSES. WE MUST MAKE SURE THEY ARE SUPPLEMENTED WITH A HEARING AID.
+WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET TO ENJOY ALL THE LEISURES IN LIFE THAT WE CAN, AND FREE, AT TIMES WHEN WE ARE WORKING AND UNLIKELY TO BE COMPÉTING TO USE SUCH FACILITIES,+ DR IP SAID.
SHE ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT
FOR ITS SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY PEOPLE.
+THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS SUPERSEDED EVEN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN GIVING PRIORITY TO THE ELDERLY, IN THAT IN MOST CLINICS, ALL ELDERLY PATIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 65 YEARS ARE SEEN FIRST WITHOUT WAITING.
+THIS PRACTICE HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR SOME 20-30 YEARS A GOOD PRACTICE I MUST SAY, FOR ALL TO FOLLOW, SHE SAID.
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