To make changes to the Dentist Act, 1948, Health Minister J P Nadda introduced the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
Under the Act, the register of dentists is maintained in two parts -- A and B. Part A consists of all dentists possessing recognised dental qualifications.
Part B comprises persons not holding such qualifications but are engaged in dentistry as principal means of livelihood for at least five years prior to commencement of the Act on March 29, 1948. Registration under Part B was permitted from a date prior to March 29, 1948.
According to the government, no person has been registered under Part B after 1972.
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Through this bill, the government proposes to omit the provisions for nominating those registered under Part B to the dental council, as well as for electing such people to state dental councils and joint state dental councils.
Currently, the central government has to nominate at least two members from Part B to the Dental Council of India.
Through the amendment to the Act, the government would take away the mandatory requirement of representation of Part B dentists in these councils.
"There are approximately 950 dentists registered in Part B against 1.6 lakh dentists registered in Part A.
"Moreover, only few states and union territories like West Bengal, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, Punjab and Delhi have dentists registered in Part B," the Statement said.
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