TV upsets dentists

Press, 28 November 1980, Page 9

TV upsets dentists

Canterbury dentists have ‘deplored what they call a '"gross imbalance" in a "Close Up” television programme on the future of the school dental service shown last Sunday evening. ■ "Relations between the Dental Association and the school dental nurses have been severely jeopardised by the irresponsible remarks made in this production, and •may take a long time to I repair,” said Mr Bryan Dick. | president of the association’s ’ Canterbury branch. The national chairman of the association had been in-j terviewed for 55 minutes but* only three minutes had been*

used, Mr Dick said. At least' once an interrupted sentence had been used which had I completely changed the’ meaning of the words. ,"The association will’: always work with the news media in the field of dental health, but must protest about the content and lack of balance of this pro- , gramme with' its implicit tions such as ‘the dentists laughing al! the way to the bank,’ used more than once,” I he said. It was possible that as a result of the programme, any interviews of the "Close, Up” type could well be refused, with only a face-to- ■:

■ face or forum ripe of, discussion held, Mr Dick said. Mr G. Wilson, head of ' current affairs for Television ‘New Zealand, said that he could not comment as it was a matter for examination by the corporation, and one to‘be handled officially in terms of the complaint. ■ He said, - however, that he had not yet received a letter of complaint from the Dental Association. The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) had indicated that he would - make a representation to rhe Broadcasting Corporation about the iprogramme, Mr Wilson said.