DENTAL SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1917, Page 3

DENTAL SERVICE

> f Statement By Minister i ir Wellington, March 23 t The Minister of Health stated today that the ■ question ol dental ser-

vice recently bad been reejiving close attention. Prior to the war there were practically 500 dentists practising in New Zealand, Of there 100 had been withdrawn for war service. Should' the war continue another twelve mouths, a farther thirty dentists would be required for the forces, leaving 370 available for practice in the entire Dominion. > “it ia with great surprise, added . the Minister,” that I have learned t that the number who have presented - themselves for examination under the j Dentists Act during the last six years is one only. Apparently the majority . of new dentists starting in Ne.v Zealand have had training in American colleges. It is probable that in the

eaily future the question of mobilising the dautal set vice wiil become a practical one exactly as tbit of mobilising the medical service which already is receiving attention. “It is clear that the method of training dentists in New Zealand, as shown by the experience of the last six years, has preved a colossal failure and cannot be allowed to continue, Some more efficient plan of training young men for this profession, which is understood to be an exceedingly lucrative one ? must be established. I recognise that the Otago Dental School, under Professor Pickerill, is ably officered, but its location at one end of the Dominion evidently does not provide sufficient facilities for young men. I think it will probably be necessary to establish training institutions in the other three centres, where a large amount of preliminary work can be undertaken by young men who are engaged as cadets

. in the employ of registered dentists, ! and whose fiual term of training can i be completed in a short poriod at the Otago institution, before they receive their diploma.”