Union Cabinet approves introduction of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017

The Union Cabinet on 20 September 2017 approved the introduction of the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in Parliament subject to modifications of drafting, if any, as may be considered necessary by the Legislative Department.

The Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2017 seeks to amend the Dentists Act, 1948 to reduce the redundancy.

The clauses being amended in the Act include certain modifications in the provisions of the Dentists Act, 1948 with regard to:
• Membership  of  the Dental Council of India under clause (f) of section 3 of Act
• Membership  of  State  and  Joint  State Dental Councils under clause (b) of section 21 and clause (b) of section 23 of the Act

Background
As per the Dentists Act, 1948, it was required to have the representation of dentists registered in Part B as Central Government nominees in the Dental Council of India and then the election of four or two members from Part B to the State Dental Councils.  However, it lost relevance.

With a view to reduce the redundancy of the provisions of their representation, the Government decided to delete these provisions so that their representation does not remain mandatory any more.