Evening star., 1923-12-26
Dentistry Board Heads Hold
Present Statute Weak in
Requirements.
HEALTH OFFICIALS PROBE
REPORT OF QUACKS HERE
Investigation, on Suggestion of
Freeman Society, Fails to Dis
close Single Fraud.

Declaring that the District of Co
lumbia has lax dental law, DR.. c.
A. Hawley, secretary of the dental
examining board of the District, to-
day announced that the board soon
provide for more stringent regulation
Of the practice of dentistry.
DR.. Hawley asserted there is urgent
need for revision of the present law
in this connection it came to light
that the health department is now
inquiring into a letter from the
Robert T. Freeman Dental Society, d
colored organization, in which it was
suggested that unqualified men were
engaged in the profession here
Health Officer William C. Fowle-
said today that on the basis of the
letter he has directed his inspectors
to make a careful investigation TO
find out il there are any dentists
practicing in violation of law. Up to
this time. DR.. Fowler added, no viola
tions of the law have been uncovered.
The health orf1cer also has sought
the cooperation of Pharmacy Inspec-
tors Sanders and Evans of the police
department., who are aiding in the
investigation.
The text of the communication sent
to the health office by the society was
quoted by DIR. VI. d. Wiseman, for
come to the attention of the Robert
T. Freeman Dental Society of Wash
ington, that there are a number of
men practicing dental work in this
properly licensed and others of
whom have never even pursued the
courses in detistry at any dental
school"
Society Twenty Years Old.
ciety was established twenty years
ago. is composed of forty members,
practically all the colored dentists in
the city, nearly all of whom are grad
yates of Howard University and
meetings are held at the 18th street
Y. NJ. c. A DR.. Reuben West is the
present president.
DIR. Hawley of the examining board
explained that prospective dentists
are required to pass a theoretical
examination and, in addition, must
perform certain technical work be-
fore they are certified to practice.
He pointed out, however, that one
of the weakest spots in the local
law is that no college diploma is
necessary in order TO take the exam
ination TO practice here.
Because of the absence OF this re-
quirement, DR.. Hawley said, the Dis
trict has not been able to get reci-
procity with most of the states IN
for the reason that those states re-
quire diploma.
Degree to Be Refused.
The secretary of the examining
board said the bill now being pre-
pared for introduction in Congress
will define clearly the practice of
dentistry, will require possession of
college diplomas in order 70 take the
examination and will place higher
examination fee on applicants.
At present the examination fee is
$40, which DR.. Hawley said, does not
provide the board with sufficient
funds.
The Districts dental law, according
to DR.. Hawley, has not been revised
since 1904, and should be brought up
to date with the laws in the states
dental reciprocity with only six
states.
The secretary of the board stated
that there were one or two COM
plants made about a year ago. but
he had not heard of any recently.
Officials of the health department
have been following with interest
Investigations elsewhere into the
activities of alleged unqualified ply
sicians. but they say they have not
heard of any similar cases in Wash
ington.
The District has a, medical examin-
ing board which requires applicants
to pass a written examination If
they pass they are given a certificate
on which the health department
authorizes them to practice.