UNREGISTERED DENTISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18631, 12 February 1924, Page 10

UNREGISTERED DENTISTS.

ADMISSION TO PRACTICE. CLAIMS OF ASSOCIATION, Reference was made in a telegram from "Wellington yesterday to a suggestion that further opportunity should be given to unregistered dentists to qualify by examination to practice as dentists. Arguments wers presented on behalf of the profession against further legislation in this direction. The views of the Auckland Unregistered Dentists' Association were set forth yesterday by the honorary secretary, Mr. F. L. Mangan. He said the Dentists' Amendment Act of 1921-22 was mainly the result of activities on the part of the New Zealand Dental Association, which was anxious to abolish the practice of operative dentistry by unregistered persons. "When the amendment was introduced by the Hon. C. J. Parr, much comment was caused because the existing rights of men who were earning their livings as dental operators were to be interfered with. Certain clauses were then introduced by which persons who had been at dentistry for a period of four years immediately preceding the passing of the Act (not two, as stated in the telegraphed report), may register by passing a preliminary and a professional examination. The professional examinations were conducted by the New Zealand University authorities, and 42 candidates passed. The Wellington practitioner has applied that these 42 successful candidates are men with ' no professional training,' and are not capable of practising,''' continued Mr. Mangan. "He is most afraid for the sake of the poor. Of course it is out of the question to permit those who were not successful to sit again for ex amination! Some of them may pass, and a bigger massacre of the poor would ensue. It is bad enough to have 42 on the warpath. And then we must remember the student at present attending the Dental I School in Dunedin. The Dental Associai tion is so solicitous for the training of I our future dentists that its Dunedin branch, according to the Dental Commission's report, was afraid of losing patients in order that the clinical material of the school may be increased. And again this same association protects the health of the poorer class by asking fees which are beyond the majority of working men. In order that the interests of the poorer class may b,e safeguarded it is the intention of some ' legally-qualified dentists ' to do their utmost to take away existing rights from about 38 wen, and consign , them to the workroom where they may receive the munificent wage of £4 per week.

" The men who are asking for further examinations are not untrained person?, but men who have the necessary experience and brains, and will continue to fight for what they know to be their rights."