£30 FINE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32347, 15 October 1943, Page 3

£30 FINE

extraction of a tooth COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE DENTAL TECHNICIAN’S OFFENCE Adjourned since September 1 in order that the result of representations to the Minister of Health in regard to registration might be known, the case in which Selwyn Moananui Hovell, dental technician, of Waihi, had admitted a breach of the Dentists’ Act, 1926, came 'before Mr W. H. Freeman, .S.M., again in Waihi Magistrate’s Court recently. Defendant had previously pleaded guilty to a charge that, not being a person registered as a dentist or the holder of a provisional practising licence, he had, on or about August 6, carried on business as a dentist. The prosecution had been brought under section 26 (1) (2) of the Act, and at the original hearing Sergeant A. Bisset, who prosecuted, said that as a result of a camplaint by a local resident defendant had been interviewed by Detective A. Moore, of Hamilton, and had admitted that he had extracted a tooth, and that he had no licence to do so. Defendant had been

in practice in Waihi as a dental technician since 1919. At the recent sitting of the court the magistrate asked what had been the result of the representations and Mr H. L. Boughton, who appeared for defendant, said the Minister had advised that formal application for registration would have to be made, and the matter would then be considered. The Minister had added, however, that there would undoubtedly be some opposition to such an application being granted.

“A person cannot carry on any profession unless he is duly qualified, said Mr Freeman. “In this case, defendant, who is not a registered dentist, has admitted that he had extracted a tooth; and to allow such a prictice might be dangerous to the public health. Where a man is not qualified there is no control whatsoever; but in the case of registered men as full protection as possible is afforded the public.” According to a list produced'at the last sitting, continued the magistrate, defendant had performed major dental operations under a number of medical practitioners, some of whom were quite eminent. What would be the position if a person practised medicine without being registered? he asked.

The magistrate added that it appeared that defendant had been making extractions for many, many years.

After the last war every opportunity had been given dental mechanics who had seen service to qualify, and a special Act had been passed, but itseemed that defendant had not availed himself of the chance. Defendant had been fined five times for breaches of the Dentists Act, the first time in 1919, and on four charges in 1931. Apparently it was no offence to carry on

work as a dental mechanic, but so far as extractions were concerned he could not view the matter other than seriously. Defendant had evidently escaped prosecution for a long time. , Remarking that a penalty of £lOO was provided for and that defendant s highest previous penalty was £l5, Mr Freeman' imposed a fine of £3O and costs. If other representations made to the authorities 1 were given effect to the matter of penalty could be reviewed, he said.

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