SUPPLY OF DENTISTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3042, 31 March 1917, Page 15

SUPPLY OF DENTISTS

Sir,—X read the .comment on th Bubieot of the sucply of dentists b: ' the Minister of Publio Health (th Hon. G; W. Eussell) in your issue o • Saturday 'last, with .more than passim interest. I was verjr much surprise< to learn that ono candidate- only ha< come forward for examination unde the Dentist Act'during .the last si: years. The reason "for this great fall ins off of students is-not far to find In the first place, before a, candidat can make a start to tako up dentistr for his calling he must pass the'matri oulation, and I believe the medical-pre limitary examinations. The student i , then required to attend the Denta University at-Dunedin for four years. '. ■understand that the same.results cai be obtained in other parts of the worli in half this time, without such higl • education examinations. I think I at , not far wrong when 1 say that in_ m; . opinion there is not ono "apprentice' to the dentistry.in the Dominion at th ; present time. ' The education test, i the bloqk for this profession. No mor i is required for,a doctor or lawyer i These two callings are far irioro lucra . tive than dentistry. Hence the fallinj [ off of students. Beading the Hon [• ourablo Minister's comments to th , end, 1 think he has this matter/we] t in hand, and if any relief can bo oh , tairied,' ho will soon v put vtho matte on, a satisfactory basis. .■■'■.' ' i • Trusting you will find space for tnosi j' Ifew lines in your valued paper.—l am , ctci, ■ .•.:,.■' '■-.!■ STUDENT. ; 'March 26, 1917. ..' ■,' ..