A FAVOURED PROFESSION

Evening Star, Issue 22209, 11 December 1935, Page 8

A FAVOURED PROFESSION

NO OVERCROWDING IN DENTISTRY BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR GRADUATES ABOLITION OF CERTIFICATE COURSE MOOTED “ It is a purely fortuitous, but none the less a very happy circumstance, that there appears to be no overcrowding in dentistry in New Zealand, and that the wastage is being met very adequately,” stated Dr R. Be van Dodds, dean of tho Dental Faculty, in a report, covering tho year’s work at the Dental School, presented to the University Council yesterday. During the year the number of students in attendance had been 131, of whom 123 had been degree students, eight certificate students, and five women students. There had been an additional number of 10 students taking the special course in. mechanical dentistry,' eight being women. It would be noted that the number and percentage of degree students constituted records for the Dental School. That was very satisfactory, and it was the direct result of the efforts of the staff to keep the relative number of degree students as high as possible. Ho would repeat that which he had pointed out in earlier reports—that the certificate course served simply as a standby for those who could not or do not pass the B.D.S. examinations. A proposal was on foot to abolish it altogether. Tho number of students qualified during tho year was 20, of whom 18 wore degree and two certificate. After some 10 years’ experience in this matter he would say that the supply and demand in the dental profession was very nicely arranged. It was a purely fortuitous, but none the less very happy circumstance that there appeared to be no overcrowding in dentistry in New Zealand, and that the wastage was being met very adequately. Despite the fact that the recent November examinations had been completed less than a week, most of the successful candidates had been already settled in positions or had, definite prospects of ooing so in the near future. Thus lie had reason to believe that his statement of last year (that our “ young graduates have reasonably bright prospects of a satisfactory career ”) was correst. The work of the year had progressed smoothly, with no major difficulties arising, and again he had to thank ‘he staff, particularly Professor Burt and Mr Rout, for their able assistance hud co-operation. NEW CLINICAL RECORDS. “ The clinical record may be considered to be particularly satisfactory this year, and the returns from the various departments demonstrate a reasonable balance. Here also the school has set new standards, and the total amount of work is considerably greater than ever before.” The number of patients’ attendances, some 24,000, demonstrated the place the Dental School was.- taking in this community. The matter of tho supply of free work to the indigent was no longer an embarrassment to both staff and students, as it was under complete control. The system evolved, which was put into operation last year, had bean further tested and works splendidly. This_ ensured that those really in need received the necessary treatment, hut under proper control. The system was carried out in conjunction with the Hospital Board office. Further, it was a very hopeful sign that the demand for free treatment was not nearly so great, it being his experience that a great majority of people who could pay some small fee ‘preferred to do so. At the end of May, Mr D. T. Allan, 8.D.5., completed his year, and his place has been taken by Mr J. F. Fuller, B.D.S. Miss Tattersfield, the assistant in orthodontics, has been appointed for a further term of one year, and completes her term in May next. Again the students had had every opportunity bf acquiring a knowledge of modern dentistry. All departments . had been busy and no difficulty had been met with regard to clinical material; in fact, there was more available than it was possible to cope with. Two modern developments were worth noting, one being tho use of stainless steel in preference to precious metals in various appliances, particularly in orthodontic work, and the other the development of the porcelain type of filling to near perfection. Both of these were demonstrated successfully by a recent graduate at the annual conference, ORTHODONTICS AND PROSPHETICS. The schedule of work would demonstrate the activity of the orthodontic department. In the course of the year, work, additional to that carried out by students, was undertaken by Professor Burt and his assistant, Miss Tattersfield, in some six cases. A number of cases had to be deferred until 1936, owing to inability to cope with them. At the end of this year Messrs Chirnside and Brander leave the prosphetic department after some ten years of excellent work. He had reported previously to the council on these two members of the staff, and Ke had to thank them for their enthusiasm and attention to their duties during the period. The staff in this department had now to b© reorganised and a lecturer appointed to act as superintendent of the laboratory. As this department "dealt with the early years of the course, and laid the foundation for the future work of the student, it had a very important influence on the school. Mr G. H. Gilbert presented himself for his doctorate this year, and the results would be published in the near future. Finally, Dr Dodds thanked the staff, teaching, and executive for their loyalty and work during the year.