Unregistered Dentists.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1922, Page 4

Unregistered Dentists.

A CONCESSION PROMISED. [ill TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION! WELLINGTON, January 16. There was consternation among a large number of unregistered dentists who are practising in New Zealand under supervision when the amendment to the Act was circulated making the law more stringent. Their representatives interviewed the Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Health, to-day, in the hope of securing some concession to men who have for some years been doing operative dental work under the supervision of registered dentists. The Minister informed a representative of the “Lyttelton Times” that he is preperade to introduce a clause into the Dentists Bill dealing with these representations, though personally he was not keen to open the door, which had already twice been opened. As a professional man he was against lowering the high standard set by the Otago Dental School, but in view of the recommendations of two Parliamentary committees in favour of a certain class of dental assistants, who had been doing operative work, he would meet what, no doubt, was a deserving class of man. Asked regarding details of the concession the Minister indicated that those who could support by affidavit from their employer and themselves the fact that for two years they had been practising operative dentistry would be asked to pass a general knowledge examination, probably equivalent to the junior civil service examination, in December, 1922, and a practical dental examination set by the the dental school authorities in December, 19®3,

Another important question which unregistered dentists raised with the Minister was that the present Bill proposes to abaoluitely prohibit further work by unregistered dentists under registered supervision. This, it was stated would ffinow a number of men out of work. The Minister is disposed' to give those men an opportunity of qualifying before this portion of the ■Bill becomes operative.