New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-11
AGAINST DENTAL LICENSE BILL
Said To Be for Special Relief of Certain
individuals.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

! To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir; May call your attention-since YOU have
been consistent opponent OF licensing members Of
the professions by special lesslation-to Assembly
bill No. 1851. introduced with unanimous consent
April 1 by Mr. Shanahan. OF Kings. read twice
ana referred to the Committee Public Health,
where. at this stage Of the session. its opponents
cannot have-as they probably not intended
to have-that public hearing which they must
therefore seek In the press?
This bin commands the Regents TO license every
person who shall file his afidavit-true or false
10 the effect that before July 81 1896 he
bona fde student Of dentistry under private pre-
ceptorship entitled TO file a students certificate.
and has continued so to study dentistry until now.
and shall also file af1davit-true false-of
some accommodating ncentiato to the effect that
the candidate has $50 studied dentistry since
July 81. 1895
This bin pro tanto repeats the Dental law, that
for many years has required all candidates for
license TO pass examinations to their fitness.
Prior TO August /. 1895. these examinations
conducted by the Dental Society Of the State of
New-Eork, and among those eligible therefor were
persons who had studied dentistry under private
preceptorship for the term OF four years after
fling with the socety's secretary certificate that
they had commenced their Of study with
PERCEPTION This was the so-caled students GER
tifcate"
The act Of 1895 placed the licensing power with
the Regents Of the University, created State
Board OF Dental Examiners and provided that
didates for examination by the latter board should
not only have been graduated from reputable dental
or medical schools. but also should have received
the high school preliminary education its equiva-
lent certified 70 by the Regents In order to protect
any supposed rights OF those who at the date OF
its passage had already IN good faith commenced
70 study under private preceptors. this act pro-
vided that such students. upon fling their certih-
Gates on before July 81. 1885, might be admitted
the conclusion OF their four years course. to the
professional examinations Of the State Board with
out proof OF the preliminary education required by
that act, but required heretofore when their
course OF study had been commenced. But the act
did not exempt any from the professional
aminations that have been required for many
years
entitled July 81 1898 file their certificates
cure any omission so TO DO by fling them pro
tune upon affiGavits. and thereupon TO take the
State Board examination. Under this amendment
a number OF persons fled with the Regents afl-
davits and corroborative afidavits to the effect
they had been bona fde dental students before
ana since 1896 But investigation disclosed that the
majority OF these soi-disant students had never
pursued any course Of study intended TO do so.
but that they had been employed-in most instances
by dental parlors"-as office boys. mechanical men
and even as illegal practitioners.
Me. Shanahan's bill would enable all these men
to become licensed by affidavit. The measure may
not be intended for their special benefit Presuma-
bly, It is intended for the special relief Of certain
individuals. No worse piece OF special legislation
has been introduced. 1t discrimnates unjustly
against every licentiats who has been compelled
during the last quarter OF century 20 pass exam
dental practitioners men whose incapacity and
dishonesty have been demonstrated Il puts a pre-
sufficiently reward false swearing
Assuming that the regulation Of dental practice