DENTISTS REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

The Minister for Health (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

To ease the shortage of dentists, the Ministry of Health started a three-year course in dental therapy in 1975. The first batch of dental therapists graduated in May 1978. At present, the requirement is that these therapists must have 10 years of practical experience under the supervision of a qualified dentist before they can be registered to practise independently within the limited field. The Ministry of Health has been monitoring the performance of this first batch of dental therapists. We have found that their competence in carrying out straightforward dental procedures, such as simple extractions, fillings and making of dentures, equal to that of dental officers. The Ministry therefore feels that these dental therapists would be competent to set up their own practice after five years instead of 10 years of practical experience under supervision. This is the main provision in the Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill, 1980, which is now before the House.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Toh Chin Chye].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.