SHORTAGE OF DENTISTS

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15127, 23 January 1917, Page 3

SHORTAGE OF DENTISTS

(Per United Press Association.! AUCKLAND, January 22. At the University Senate a critical position with regard to dentistry was disclosed. Mr Mahon ; “That, in view of the fact that" since the passing of the Dentist Act, 1908, the number of students who qualify to practise as dental surgeons is wholly inadequate to the wants of the community, and that as the increasing shortage of qualified dental practitioners constitutes a grave menace to the public health, the Board of Studies be asked to draft for the certificate of proficiency in dental surgery a modified course that would not involve an attendance of more than six months at the Otago Dental School.” The mover said his object in bringing, the point before the Senate was that the Otago, School of Dentistry would be encouraged to carry out the work for which it was established. Three years was .the time necessary under the old system to secure qualification as a dental surgeon. About 95 per cent, of those practising had qualified under the system. The present course covered four years, three. of which the student spent in Dunedin. This proved a barrief to apprentices in the far-away centres. If the course suggested were adopted, use could be made of the existing resources of the 'ocal University Colleges and the local dental hospitals. Apprentices might, under experts, undergo a course of training in operative dental surgery, stopping, and the use of anaesthetics, this training being rounded off by a short course at the Otago Dental School. The matter was referred to the Medical Committee for its report.