UNREGISTERED DENTISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18630, 11 February 1924, Page 8

UNREGISTERED DENTISTS.

TIME FOR QUALIFYING. QUESTION OF FINALITY. iBX MLK>»AFH. —CWH CoanESPONIDSST.I WELLINGTON. Saturday. The representations that are being made to the Government by unregistered persons practising dentistry in New Zealand are causing uneasiness among legallyqualified practitioners. The suggestion that legislation is likely, extending the period for the qualifying of unregistered dentists* beyond the period set down in the Dentists' Amendment Act, 1921, has elicited * strong expression of protest by loading members of the profession, who complain that the question of the protsction of public health is involved in any proposal to further extend the Act to allow those who have not yet qualified to do so.

For thirteen years after the Consolidating Act of 1908 was passed, said a leading dentist yesterday, no amendment was made in the law relating to the practice of dentistry. Then, in response to an organised agitation by unregistered men, the law was amended to allow of the registration as qualified dentists of persons who had been merely engaged continuously in dental work for a period of two years, on passing an examination in general knowledge and in dentistry. The amending measure set a time limit on this type of registration and prescribed that it would expire on March 31, 1924, after which no application of such a nature would be entertained. Two examinations of unregistered men were held under the 1921 Act. In the first, according to published figures, 61 candidates presented themselves and nine passed; in the second, held last December, 72 candidates submitted themselves, and no fewer than 33 passed. For those who were unable to qualify at these examinations, it was now being submitted on their behalf that the law should be still further amended, so that they may continue to sit for examination.

"Is the public safety not to be considered?" said the practitioner. "Is the proposal fair to the student at the dental school going through four years' training, in compliance with the Dentists Act? Is it fair to the ' parent of the student that his chances of entering the profession - should thus be lessened ? Is it fair to the public that men who have not the professional training should bo permitted to practise dental surgery on them ? Who are the sufferers at the hands of unqualified dentists in this category ? Is it not the poor people ? Believe me, the dental profession are really alarmed at the prospect. They are taking the matter very seriously. Either the public should be protected, as is expressed in the Act, or the Act should be done away with altogether, and permission to practise given to anyone who pleases."