DENTAL TECHNICIANS

Chronicle (Levin), 4 September 1946, Page 5

DENTAL TECHNICIANS

-Press Asso'cimtion

status issije 'raised yvi

Bv Telegraph—

DUNEDIN, Sept. 3. The belief that any attempt on the part of dental technicians to olitain pro ressional status would be against the concept of dentistry as a health scrvice is ex pressed in a statement issued^ by the annual conference of the New Zealand Dental Association held in Dunedin last week. Following is the statement: " At this annual nieeting of the New Zealand Dental Association, we desire to place on xecord our considered opinion that the dental health of the people in this country is dependent en tirely upon the avaiJability of proporlytrained dental surgeons to carry out all dental procedures which entail work in the moutli or on the dental tissues. "The construction of dentures for the replacement of the natural teeth demands an intimate knowledge of: tnany basic medical and dental subjects ather than technical procedures, and we wisli to eorrect any public misnnderstanding which may exist regarding the capability of anyone other than a fully-qualifled dental surgeon to undertake such work. ' ' We trust, therefore, that any attempt on the part of dental technicians to seek professional status will. be recognised by the public as a move which would be contrary to the modern concept of dentistry as a health service. Moreover, any such move, if seriously considered, would affeet the mum'ber of entrants to the sehool, who normallv are prepared to study for live years in order to qualify themselves to serve the public in every braneh of dentistry in a manner in keeping with the rapid developxnents in dental science. " Nevertheless, we are in entire sympatliy with the desire on the part of dental .technicians to improve their status as .technicians and will support any legitimate move for the provision of better facilities for adequate training in their craft. ' 3