TRAINING OF DENTISTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3052, 13 April 1917, Page 9

TRAINING OF DENTISTS

COURSE TOO EXPENSIVE VIEWS OF THE MINISTER A few days ago the Minister of Public Health (the Hon.•- G. Wv Russell) expressed very delinite dissatisfaction, with the arrangements, existing in New Zealand for the 'training' of dentists, lesterday the Minister made/some further observation's oil the subject, andabout dental matters generally. " "1 hope during the sittings of the Dental Conference ai Wellington to discuss with that body proposals for undertaking at a fixed rate the dental work for the children of the schools of the Dominion," said Mr. Russell. "The proposal is that the work shall be done through the hospital boards, and that the Government agree to give to the hoards a subsidy, of 75 .per. cent, of 'the; money expended in this way. -■ "With regard'to the'proposals for' the dental school, the inquiries I have' made do not lead me, to consider, favourably any scheme for'the establishment of bursaries. I understand that the period necessary to qualify after matriculation is four years; and -I am? of opinipn that solne; easier'arid lessexpensive method of training dentists • for our country'will have to -be provided. I'cannot help thinking that it should be possible' to learn' the profession of dentistry-by a/'system of cadets ship, in the various dental'workrooms and surgeries now in existence, followet|bv a course'of technical instruction, '•which I.hope to see made available in the various dental colleges." Mr. Russell went on to refer to some criticism that had been made of his statement' that only one student had qualified during the last six years at the Duriedin school. In that statement he had not been accurately reported.' - .What he actually said was' that six students had qualified; one iii each year. He had since -learned, however,, that he had made this state'ment on'incorrect information, and that in six years fifteen'students had-passed through the college fully qualified. This number was so small, he said, that he must still regard the present meithod of supplying dentists to the' Dominion as a col-: ossal failure. The reason was that tlic cost of a four years' -course at the Dunedin Dental l School was prohibitive,' and he therefore insisted on the necessity for a cheaper and easier method of supplying the Dominion 'with dentins. '