TRAINING OF DENTISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17649, 9 December 1920, Page 7

TRAINING OF DENTISTS.

POSITION OF DUNEDIN SCHOOL

MINISTER PROPOSES INQULKT

Matters relating to the dental profession were discussed in Wellington by the Minister for Health. Mr. Parr said that, generally speaking, dentistry was not as 'satisfactory as it ought to be. "It would seem there is nothing to prevent unqualified men operating on the public so long as they act under the supervision of registered men, whose control ny>y be" and' often is merely nominal, if not negligible. That sort of things,is going on, and the Act requires reconsideration.

" Further, men of f moderate means cannot afford the four years' course in Dunedin whicn is now compulsory. It is true the Government gives a few bursaries to help the students who are. not well off, but these hardly meet the case. Indeed these bursaries are not much sought* for as a rule by men outside Otago. < It may be they are not attractive enough, being only £50 a year. If the Government .is to finance all entrants to the dental profession for a four years' course at Dunedin, it will certainly mean a very heavy, annual bill. Moreover, the question arises, is it the business of the Government to board, lodge, and' train our young den-, tists, or men in other professions wholesale for a four years' course in this way ? " Now we have a demand for £30.000 for a new dental school at Dunedin, and the new school when built will accommodate only the present number of students. I am, satisfied that the whole ma(l<er requires review. I am inclined to think' a small competent conrinittei or commission to inquire into the. dental school and its functions,' the bursary system, ■' perhaps the unregistered dentists' problem, and the present Act, would be advisable. Such-a commission could take the evidence of all .concerned, and would. give Parliament a reliable basis on which to act." " "