DENTISTRY IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16895, 17 November 1920, Page 8

DENTISTRY IN SCHOOLS.

QUESTION OP TRAINING,

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Nov. 16. Considerable interest has been taken' in t-ha latest proposals of the Government in connection with, the development of the State dental scheme for the treatment of the teeth of children.- The proposal to employ partially trained women has aroused considex-able interest, and has created a widespread impression that the Government is acting along unsafe lines, and some of those, keenly interested in the subject have 5 obtained a legal opinion from Mr. S. Solomon, K.C. In the course of his opinion, Mr. Solomon says; “I am asked advice whether the appointment of women with only 18 months’ tuition in dentistry in public schools is legal without special legislation. I must assume, fertile purpose of my opinion, that schools are institutions receiving financial aid from tire Government, and that it is proposed that these ladies should be attached to schools as other officers are. If that is so, although.l cannot say that the matter is entirely free from doubt, I have yet to corns to the conclusion that the employing "of them in that capacity will be a breach of section 20 of the Dentists’ Act, 1908. That section provides, inter alia, .that ho person other than a dentist shall hold any appointment as dental surgeon rn any institution receiving financial aid from fho Governmet. lam assured that the duties which it is proposed to cast upon those ladies are described as dental care and treatment of school children, and that' these come within the regular duties of a dental surgeon. Under these circumstances I am forced to the conclusion that if they are attached to schools, tlrat will be an equivalent to holding an appointment, and that therefore it is ft breach of lire section.”