PALMER, ALASKA
Dorothy M» Boll, Editor.
Published c'-crv Friday at Porlxior; Alaska, for the Matanuskn. Valloy Rimers*
Cooperating Association for the purpose of giving nous of tho Associations Work,
Problems, and Accomplishments. \ . , . ,
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YEAR'S SUBSCRIPTION BY kiAlt $1.75 BOX $1.00 SINGLE \C0P!Y 10tf- • J
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' V_j HR I 5 T MAS
THE EDITOR
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MUST'PAI1ER BECOME TOOTHLESS? ‘ ,
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It sms that once again re are on the'verge of getting a dentist and then duo to
Territorial Dentist Berrd oxeninntions, re find that re cannot get one at thin tine.
rre understand that.tho Dental profession of Alaska has a' Board of Examiners rho have
a rule rhich requires that no dentist can orhcticc in Alaska until ho has taker, the
'Board 'seminations. No temporary poxrsit is issuod to. any dentist fron any .state re
gardless of his training or past experience. The Board examinations are given ohly'
in August. Hence, any dentist released fron the Amy can be over so good a dontist,
but he rrust trait until August to take the oxen, before he can practice. This means
that if a dontist is released.fron the Amy in January and rihhcs to remain here a.'d
practice he must either be idle or find something else to do until August. Most of
thorn cannot afford to do that.
Now just lipw docs this effect us? It is no secret that a good share of the Valley
people arc slowly losing teeth because they cannot feet dental care. The ddntists in
Anchorage cannot possible handle the dental work for the Valley, Secondly, most
people cannot get away for appointments in Anchorage and so they trait ih hopes tint
wo ;rill eventually have a dentist to make use of the Dental equipment that the Co-op
kps waiting. The saddest part of the whole natter is that the children.who should
have regular dental attention are losing thoir tooth at too narly an age. As anyone
knows, the filling of tooth often .requires several trips to the dentist.. How can
an employed person from' Pc drier get array to keep such appointments? When there is a
dentist in' town an hour or trro from working hours does not matter so much, but days
count up. TheSc who have boon fortunate enough to be able to piko appointments out of
torn have them trro months in advance or moro. A tooth might get beyond the ago of
saving it in that tine.
7o havi
soon,
c had our, hopes up nor. for.about a month thinking that a dentistJwas coming , .
but they have boon dashed to earth again., .wo. learn jnnt the dentist who is to
bo released from the Army during the first part of the year has not taken t he exams.
There i3 no arrangement by which he can got a temporary pomit although he hds an
excellent _arny record.os.a d.cnt.ist» Is there, anything that wo can do? Well, wo can
try to do something and wo'intend to’try. Letters, can be written to parties who have
influence in these natters. Petitions can'be circulated and sent to. the.right parties.
If you are interested, and wo know you are, then let’s havo all organizations write
j.otters requesting that a poitiit bo grantod to this dentist so that he can go to work
h mediately. If he .has to wddt,ho nay not be here in August.
Closed Shop or not —A Wo want a'dentist and Wo NEED a dentist. NOW, '
There is much more that car. be said on this subject and will bo said. LatOr.