Careers For Boys And Girls

Chronicle (Levin), 8 May 1948, Page 3

Careers For Boys And Girls

This is a further arfeicle in the series deahng with suitable careers : 'for boys- >and girls about to leave school. ... . • Dentistry 'Qualifications: It is -necessary tc have obtained a qualification for entrance to the university. Training: There is a flve-yeai course of training at the dental school of Otago University, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Dental SUrgery (B.D.S.). The • sun - jects for the' Intermediate Examination at the end of the first year's studies— chemistry, physics,, zoology may. be taken at any of the university colleges, but the rest of the course must be taken at Otago. It is difficult to estimate the cost of the course, but the principal items to be allowe'd for are: Fees for The five years about £175; board for eight of nine months of each year; travelling, clothing and pocket money; books and instruments; club fees. A limited nurriber of Government Bursaries . of £70 a year plus £40 board allowance is awarde'd each year. Bursars are required to serve under the direction' of the Health Department for four or five years at a salary of not less than £400 a year at the beginning. The job: Nearly- everyone knows by experience what a dentist does in his practice. Most dentists are general practitioners, but in the maifi centres there are a few specialists, who concentrate on one of these three: Orthodontics — correction of malformations of the jaws; prosthetics — the replacement of teeth with artificial dentures, dental and oral surgery. Prospects: The development or free dental service by the State yrill mean that there will be a considerable demand for dentists in the near future. There are also hospital appointments in the larger hospitals. Those who wish to go-in to private practice usually do so by entering upon a partnership with a dentist already in practice, or by establishing a new one. School Dental Nurses Vacancies for student dental nurses are advertised by the Public Service Commissioner in. August or September each .year, -Succfessful . . applicants enter ^ae D'ominion Training School, Wellington, ii>, either March or September :the following .year. Application forms are obta-inable from principal post offices. Qualifications: Applicants. must be over seventeen years of age.' Preferenee- is given to those - between eighteen .and twenty-' five. A university entrance or school certificate is- required. School certificate. sub jects advantageous to prospective school dental nurses are English, physiology, biology, chemistry, general science, draw--ing and design, embroidery clothing and homecraft. Physical standar'd: The standard is high. Applicants must have good physique, normal eyesight (glasses of medium strength allowed), and sound, natural teeth. A medical examination is afranged for 'at the department's expense. Training: The course lasts two years, and trainees must undertake to remain in" the service for at le'ast three years after completion 6f training. Qualifying examinations are held at the end of each six months, and when the sourse is completed candidates must be prepared to .serve in any part of New Zealand. Subjects studied during training include, imong others, anatomy, physiology, dental pathology, dental surgery, aperative dentistry, ' dental health sducation, first aid and child welfare. In all, there are approxinately eight weeks holidays in the year. Salary: During training the salary is £125 per annum with £40 per annum lodging allowance for l.hosp whose homes are not in Wel-

lington. Student dental nurses live at departmental hostels, where the cost of board is 25s per week.-Text-books cost approximately £3. Stationery is provided free. Uniforms and caps are supplied, but trainees must provide regulation white shoes, white stockings, card cardigan, and service blazer. The. first year after qualifying brings a salary of £240 per annum, rising in five years to £350 per annum.' Dental nurse inspectors and dental tutor sisters receive £385 to £410 per annum. Girls ' wishing to become school dental nurses should possess good mental and general .ability, a genuine fondness for chidren, and capacity for conscienti.ous sustained work, while initiative, - tact, and organising powers are qualities which contribute towards Success.