Evening star., 1922-03-21
SCHOOLS S'MAY[OSE
DENTAL OPERATORS.
Several Expected to Resign
About April | on Account
of Low Salaries.
Several of the best dental operators

Several Of the best dental operators
in the District public schools Will
resign about April l because OF the
low wages they are receiving, 1t was
announced today by DR.. Joseph a.
Murphy, supervising medical IN
spector.
One dental operator who has noti-
fed DR.. Murphy that he will resign
is DR., C. Willard Camalier. who has
for many years been caring for the
teeth of the public school children:
Despite the low salaries. Dr.
Murphy said that the medical depart
ment of the public schools has been
able to retain the services of corps
of highly trained and efficient physl-
clans. With no increase IN signt Ior
the medical, staff, he fears that "a
number of them will resign aHd de-
vote their entire time to more re-
numerative practice.
Hysicni.ts Give All Time.
AS an illustration of how the low
wages are destined to cripple the
medical staff. DR.. Murphy pointed out
that the law has provided for four
dental hyeienists in the public
schools, but only two of them are
filled These dental hyeienists. he
said, are required to devote tneir en- en-
the basic salary of $500 year.
School authorities and officials of
the District government have mace
vain efforts to secure an increase IN
pay for the medical staff of the pub
lie schools, which comes under the
Jurisdiction Of the health department.
An increase was provided in the Dis
trict appropriation bill. but was elm
mated by the House District subcom-
mittee. The new teachers salary DILL
which is now before Congress. also
carried provision for an increase
for the me dical staff. but this item
was cut off by the board OF educa-
tion before the measure was sent to
the Capitol.
The only hope the medical depart
ment employees of the public schools
have of securing an increase now, Dr..
Murphy said, Is. in the passage OF the
Sterling-Lehlbach Redistribution bill.
If this measure fails of passage. DR..
Murphy emphasized. there Is virtu- :
ally no higher remuneration In sight
for the -ledical staff in the near fu-
ture.
Present Medical Corps.
Besides DR.. Murphy the corps OF
the medical department is composed
Of twelve medical inspectors. four
dental inspectors. eight dental oper-
ltors. four prophylactic operators and
ten nurses.
The medical inspectors work not
less than three hours a day. according
to a regular schedule of school visits,
and receive basic salary of $500 q
year They examine pupils and recon-
mend treatment. They also inspect
pupils and classes for the detection
and prevention of communicable dis
ease inspect sanitary conditions in
school buildings and grounds, exam
ine applicants for child labor permits
and applicants for the normal school
and for teaching positions. make
mental examination of retarded pu-
pills and conduct nutrition clinics.
The dental inspectors examine pu-
pills and determine their need OF
dental work and recommend appro-
pirate treatment. They work three
sry of $500 year. Eighteen thousand
and twenty-three children, approx
mately 3S per cent of the pupils OF
the elementary schools. were ex-
amined by the four dental inspectors
la st year.
The dental operators conduct free
dental clinics for those pupils other
wise unable to secure desirable or
necessary dental treatment They
work az hoYrs .. day throughout the
year, and recei*e a basic salary OF
$700 a year.
The nurses constitute the star for
medical and dental inspectors with
pupils and parents. They consult pu-
pills in the schools and visit pupils
and parents at their home with q
view to seeing that the instructions
of the physicians or dentists are car
ried out. They receive a basic salary
of $1,000 year,