SHORTAGE OF DENTISTS.

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 56, 8 March 1919, Page 10

SHORTAGE OF DENTISTS.

There is a serious shortage of qualified dental practitioners in the United Kingdom, and few students aro now entering for the four-years'i course. At tho Britisn Modical Association, 19, Hanover-square, a representative .of The Daily Mail was informed that out of 5000 dentists registered with the British Medical Council only 3700 are now practising in tho United Kingdom; 900 dentists aro practising in the Army, 150 working as doctors in the R.A.M.C, 40 as dentists in the R.A.F., and 50 in tho Navy. In certain mining districts in South Wales there is only ono qualified dentist for 50,000 people. In many country . districts there is no dentist to look after- the children's health, A West_ End dentist said that ho., and many, of his colleagues are so busy that they aro booking appointments months ahead, and a sitting, lasts a few minutes only instead of the customary halfhour. the war 1000 students annually attended the dental schools and' colleges. To-day there afo 200 only, 'including 50 women. Five hundred partially • trained students are serving with the forces, not having been given the protection granted to medical students.