DENTAL SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9622, 30 March 1917, Page 7

DENTAL SERVICE

A STATE ORGANISATION SUGGESTED MOBILISATION TO BE CONSIDERED. Interviewed yesterday by a “Times” representative with legard to the recent statement by the Hon. G. W. Russell (Minister for Public Health) as to the possible need for the mobilisation of the dental service throughout New Zealand, Mr Maurice E. Dennis ton (president of the. New Zealand Dental Association) said ; “The Minister’s views on the question of a shortage of dentists and dental students in the Dominion have been dealt with by the acting director of the Dental School, Dunedm. But the Minister has given expression to the common fallacy that the dental profession is a highly lucrative one. This fallacy, surely, is exposed by the fact that there are so few men entering the profession in New Zealand. THE CRUX OF THE MATTER. “The real reason why more do not take it Up is that it is not so lucrative as it is popularly supposed to be; and when the men who ate considering the question of entering tho profession of dentistry compare the respective emoluments of the doctor and the dentist, they decide as a rule upon the extra term of a slightly longer course and greater expense involved, and go in for medicine. That is the real crux of the matter. A suggestion has been made in- Dunedin as to the provision of bursaries, and if these were granted by the Minister it would undoubtedly bo an inducement to men to study for the profession. “Any view’s that 1 express now, I express only in my individual capacity, because the matter will be dealt with at the annual meeting of the Dental Association to he held here on April 24th to 27th, when, in the natural order of events, I shall be delivering the customary presidential address. One Of tho topics of which will be the question of State dentistry. Dr Norman Cox. of Timam, will also read a paper entitled ‘State Dentists.’ Thus the subject will be thoroughly discussed by tho members of the association.

TREATMENT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.

“The Hon, Mr Russell rightly states that in the past ■ the members of the dental profession have proved themselves a patriotic body Or men by their work for recruits and returned soldiers; hut, as to whether Or not the members of the profession will be willing to- extend this patriotism to the treatment of school children at a very low fee I am not prepared to say. Of this much I can assure yon, as president, that the members Of the .New Zealand Dental Association welcome the Minister’s interest in the question; and, as in the past, so now, we will be only too eager and willing to assist the Minister to' the fullest possible extent consistent with the Interests of the profession. The question of the school children is a very large one, and will require, expert advice, which, of‘course, the Minister has always access to; and, if he desires it, the Officials will, I am > sure, always be prepared to, discuss such matters with the Minister and render any assistance or give any advice in their power. THE DENTAL CURRICULUM.

“The question of the modification of the dental curriculum is now, and has been for some time past, under consideration by the Senate of the New Zealand University; but, in my opinion, it is inexpedient to allow any but skilled men te deal with such delicate and important organs as the teeth and the , mouth, because it is a recognised fact that it is as v oil to conserve the teeth, especially In a growing child, instead of extracting them, as hurriedly-trained or unskilled men might bo prone to do. The Minister’s interest in the children shows 'that he is thoroughly alive to this serious aspect of the care-’ ■ ■ “Despite the war,” said Mr Dennistoa ■ in conclusion, “it might be noted that dentists’ fees are probably the only charges which have not been increased to the public,*