DOMINION DENTISTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2399, 14 January 1909, Page 5

DOMINION DENTISTS.

PROPOSED LEG IS LATION

At the recent New Zealand Dental Association’s conference in Wellington, several subjects of great importance were discussed, but the matter which perhaps excited the keenest interest was a remit from the Gisborne Dental Society, which was a. proposal to seek to have the Dental Act amended with a view ,to preventing unqualified men from practising dentistry. Mr. F. B. Palairet, who represented the local Society at the conference, j introduced -the subject by means of an able paper, and it was followed by a lengthy discussion. Each one ol the delegates who took part in the discussion appeared to realise tliat the matter nvas one of vital interest to the profession, and a. number of instances were recorded showing how the present Act is evaded. One delegate instanced a man who up till rceentlv had been a manufacturer of ploughs and other agricultural implements. but had given that up and crono into the profession of what he was pleased to term “dentistry.” As the Act reads at present, there is nothing to hinder-any person, whether he has- undergone any examinations, or preparatory course, or not. from announcing himself as an extractor of teeth, but he must not advertise himself as a “dentist.” It was pointed out during the discussion that this- practice is being much abused throughout the Dominion, and where men simply appear as extractors of teeth they are. at the same time carrying on the other branches of work-incidental to the profession. ■ The position has become so grave, .on account of repeated -breaches, that a determined effort was deeidecKupon by the conference to have the Act. amended to deal with such cases . While in Wellington. ; 'Mr. Ealairet interviewed several leading M.P.’s on tlic subject, and laid tlic grievances of the conference before them. Each of “the gentlemen referred to stated that thoy quite recognised the. disabilities under which the legitimate members of the profession were laboring, and promised their assistance towards having the-existing legislatjjpn remedied. .