Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-03-26
01io Statfsularl,
R E NJ A r. X 8
b r. BROOKE,

ID r. BROOK b,
On House Rul TO Prosect The Peo.
pie Against Incompetent Dental
Practitioners.
Mr.. SPEAKER The substitute under
consideration differs from the original
bill in two particulars.
That provides for the appointment of
| a State Board of Examiners by the Gov
lernor, and all persons who are not now
engaged in the practice of dentistry, and
who have not a diploma from some den
tai college of this, or any other State of
the United States. must submit to an
examination by this board, before they
can legally engage in the practice of
dentistry. ~
The substitute provides that, instead
of State Board of Examiners, the State
and local societies shall perform this
duty, and grant certificates of qualifica-
ton. -
1t was urged by members of the COM
mittee who reported this substitute, that
political considerations might enter into
the deliberations of the board appointed
by the Governor, and thus lead to par
tiality, and as the plan proposed seemed
to meet with general favor from many
members of the House, the committee
thought best to make this change.
The other point of difference alluded
to is with reference to the class of per-
sons exempted from its provisions and
the time when it shall go into effect.
The original bill exempts from its op-
erations all persons who have been en-
gagged in practice for period of ten
years or more, and requires all to sub
NIT to an examination who have not
practiced for that length of time. includ-
ing those who propose to commence the
practice. unless they have diploma, as
heretofore required The provisions of
this substitute make it necessary that all
persons actually engaged, or those who
propose to engage in the practice of dem
tistry, must submit to an examination by
the State or local societies, unless they
have adiploma,from some dental college,
but does not effect those who are now
engaged in the business, until the year
1873.
By this provision, all persons are al
lowed ample time and opportunity to
prepare themselves for the duties of the
profession, if they are not already
qualified, and, in addition, they have
every facility for information and in
structions; hence there can be no ques-
tion as to their capacity and fitness for
the duties of their calling when the pc
Rod arrives for this examination, unless
they wantonly neglect their opportuni-
ties and squander the time that should
be devoted to study and patient indus
try. s
Having now stated, briefly, the differ
ences between the bill originally intro
duced, and the substitute, l will, with
the permission Of the House, as briefly
give few of the many reasons that ex-
list, why this bill should become law.
1t is well known that every change or
innovation upon the established custom
Of society, or the country, is promptly
met by objectors, who urge, frequently
with much vehemence and apparent
sincerity, their opposition to reforms that
are absolutely needed, and essential to
the public good.
This opposition to needed and healthy
Legislation, is arrayed against the prin-
ciples of the bill under consideration,
and it meets us at the very threshold,
clothed in the specious garb of liberal
ity; hence, those unwilling to aid us in
this very reasonable reform, base their
opposition to this bill, mainly, so far as
can learn from conversation. and an in
terchange of opinions; upon the assump-
tion, that it is ..class Legislation" and re-
stricts free trade, and therefore is subver-
sive of the inaienable rights of American
citizens.
If, to deny person who is grossly
ignorant of his business, the right to
operate on his neighbors teeth or mouth,
is interfering with ''free trade," then
the friends of this measure must plead
guilty to the charge.
Does it follow, necessarily, that be-
cause man may style himself dem
tist, that hecis therefore to he allowed
the largest liberty to lacerate your mouth
or that of your neighbor! -
Does the doctrine of "free trade" rem
der it necessary that he must be permit
ted to fill your teeth with any poisonous
compound that he may see proper to in
sert, merely that this great democratic
idea may be carried out to its fullest ex-
tent? Must every travelling pretender
who has no ambition but pecuniary gain,
be allowed to filch from the people, and
endanger their lives and health, simply
because this is free countryl AS well
might the highwayman plead this same
excuse in extenuation of his crime. His
calling is more honorable, as there is
no mistaking his object and purpose,
while the other professional gentleman
disguises his real intentions by pretend
| ing to be qualified to do that which he
knows be is totally unfit to perform.
| As / understand this doctrine, it has
some limit, and when confined to its le-
gitimate sphere, is just and right, but so
far as am able to judge, it has no bear
| ing upon dentition, the extraction of
teeth, or their insertion.
| know several men who will never
become reconciled to that provision of
our school law, that requires all persons
who propose to teach in our common
schools, to have certificate of moral
character and qualification before they
can take charge of a school. 1t is in
opposition to their notions of "free
trade, "and they are well satisfied that the
schools of to-day are far inferior to those
that they attended a half a century since.
These men, were they members of this
branch Of the General Assembly, would