N.Z. DENTISTS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19786, 26 November 1929, Page 3

N.Z. DENTISTS.

— PROFESSOR PREDICTS SHORTAGE. [IBB fp«»Ul aerrice.] DUNEDIN, November 2-5. The fact that New Zealand is not over-supplied with dentifts wai emphasised to-day by Dr. Bevan Dodd», i>«aa of the Dental Faculty, in an interview. < < In a few years the shortage of-<len-t.ists will probably be acute," said Dr. Dodds. Twenty students graduated yearly from the Dental School and the number was barely sufficient to meet the demand. Bequests for young P ra ®* titioners wore always being re< ci\ cd, and at the end of each year when the students accepted appointments there were seldom less than two vacancies All the graduates of the Dental School said Dr. Dodds, were doing very well, showing that the profession was an attractive one. Very few graduates left New Zealand, the departures being only those taking post-graduate courses in America and England. Dr. Dodds explained that the degree of 8.D.8. was required before a graduate could practise outside of New Zealand. \ cry j few students were now taking the certi i I fit-ate of proficiency course, and there | | was every reason to expect a further ; reduction" in the number of C.O.P. *tu ; ! dents, as the certificate course was now | extended almost to the degTec stand- ! ard. | Discussing the demand for practitioners, Dr. Dodds said that few stu- I dents graduated from the School during the war, and the post-war graduations were numerous. The opening of the "back door" two or three years ago, to mechanics who had practised for considerable periods, also influenced the profession, but many of the established practitionera were now mid-dle-aged and greater openings coiil-l be expected. He believed there would be au acute shortage of"dentists in a few years' time.