UNREGISTERED DENTIST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1081, 19 September 1930, Page 1

UNREGISTERED DENTIST

COUNSEL MAKES PLEA FOR LENIENCY FINED £3 AND COSTS “If the Great Healer of antiquity, the Lord Jesus Christ, came to the earth again and cured the sick of dental caries, He would be practising dentistry within the meaning of the Act, and consequently would be liable for a substantial penalty’.” This statement was made in the Magistrate's Court today by Mr. J. R. Gray, counsel for Lionel Henry Headdy, who pleaded guilty to pracdcing as a dentist on September 6, not being registered as a dentist under ■he Dentists Act, 190 S. Mr. R. N. Moody appeared for the Dental Association. "Defendant is neither a, charlatan nor a quack,” said Mr. Gray. ‘‘He erved his full apprenticeship term to tile profession and has been connected with it for more than 27 years. He practised lawfully until the passing of the Dentists’ Amendment Act, 1921, khich imposed certain conditions. Jbough he sat for the examinations in ’222 and 1923, defendant was unsuccessful in fully completing his tests. Me will not practise further until his • laminations are passed and I suggest an adjournment until then.” Mr, Moody said the Act provided ■or a penalty of £IOO, and was worded jo prevent an incompetent practitioner wing foisted up.on the public. “The Dental Association is the closest in the world,” said Mr. Gray, “It Is eT «n closer than the Medical Association.” Mr. W. R. McKean, the magistrate, said that Headdy had had long exper:ince, but had not been able to pass his ’laminations which were necessary’ “T law. “The provisions of the Act must ant be ignored,” said the magistrate, 'no said that he was positive that was not incompetent. Headdy was fined £3 and costs.