§ 78. Mr. Callaghanasked the Parliamenrary Secretary to the Admiralty why he considers it necessary to retain so many dentists in the R.N. that a man can have almost immediate attention, whereas in civilian life a patient has to make an appointment three or four weeks ahead.
Mr. DugdaleA large proportion of the Navy serves in small ships or in isolated units where immediate facilities for emergency dental treatment may not be available. In order, therefore, to reduce the occasion for such treatment to a minimum, it is essential to maintain a high degree of dental fitness. For this purpose the Navy must retain a sufficient number of dental officers to provide for examination of all men before drafting afloat or abroad in addition to normal treatment of officers and men serving ashore.