NATIONAL SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 40, 15 February 1918, Page 4

NATIONAL SERVICE.

DENTISTS ORGANISED. AN OFFICIAL' SCHESIE. (Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. The dental service in New Zealand has oeen drawn upon by enlistment to stier, in extent that it has become necessary ;o organise the remaining dentists, so as to ensure that the civilian population is adequately served. Consequently, a scheme has been approved by the Slinister for Defence under which no more dentists will be called up for active service if, in the opinion of the New Zealand Dental Association, they are required for the work of civilian clients. An important part of this scheme is that districts which are not now property- served by dentists will be provided with professional- attendance by drafting men from other places better served. The scheme originated through a suggestion from the Minister of Defence that __thfi._ Association should consider how far the dental requirements of the civilian population are being met. Hiletter was. at once followed by a Dominion conference of delegates of the Association, when it was resolved: — "That the members of the Association unreservedly place their services in the hands of the Government and the Slinister of Defence, to be used to the best advantage." '"That at the present juncture, and as a war measure, it would be inadvisable to deplete the dental services of the community further than one dentist to 3000 of the population." Before the war there, was one dentist to every 10S5 of the population, but 143 dentists have gone into the forces, leaving 411 in practice, or one to 2650. Some of those left are, owing to advanced years, not able to bear the physical strain of abnormal work. In accepting the Dental Association's proposals, the Slinister of Defence states:—"l very much appreciate the manner in which the members of the Dental Association have placed their services at the disposal of the Defence Department for work with the Expeditionary Forces, and am glad to take this opportunity of gratefully acknowledging the valuable work they have done. I am satisfied that the work ot the dentists has made. man - men available for the forces, who would not otherwise have been fit to go to the front, and has maintained their efficiency in the camps and in tbe field. * 1 think the dental profession has every reason to be proud of its record in this war. "With respect to your second resolution, in view of the fact that at the; present time the number of dentists now available for service in the Doniinipn is in the proportion of one dentist to 2650 of the population, and that since those figures were compiled that calling up of further dentists has reduced the ratio, I am of opinion that the time has now arrived when it is inexpedient in the public interest to call up any further dentists for service as soldiers in the Expeditionary Force. It is proposed, therefore, to advise the 'Slilitary Service Boards which deal with all appeals for exemption under tho Slilitary Service Act, that in the opinion of the Government no further dentists should be sent into camp as soldiers of tbe Expeditionary Force, and to recommend them to deal with all appeals of registered dentists in conformity with the principle of your letter under review." The Slinister has arranged, as the Executive Council of the Association has its permanent headquarters in Auckland, that all appeals of dentists will be heard by the Auckland Slilitary Service Board. He points out that in addition to any appeal _y the Association, the appellant will still have the right of private appeal, which can _c heard after the Board has determined the appeal of the Association on the ground of public interest.