New Youth and Sport Minister David Dyer has run up against his professional board in a bid to bring in an assistant from abroad to help run his dental practice.

The Bermuda Dental Board refused to approve two requests from Dr. Dyer to import a dentist to the Island -- the latest around two weeks ago.

And last week, Dr. Dyer has advertised in The Royal Gazette seeking an Island candidate to help him cope with his move from the back benches to the Cabinet.

It is understood Dr. Dyer turned down a Cabinet role on previous occasions because he was worried that the extra time needed for new responsibilities would affect his practice.

But Bermuda Dental Board chairman Dr. Kenneth Snaith said that the board was against bringing in dentists if suitable candidates were available on the Island and there was adequate provision already, although he said Government had the final say.

Dr. Snaith said: "The Dental Board is well aware of several Bermudians currently abroad studying dentistry and a few cases where new practices are being cultivated.'' And late last week one dentist, who asked not to be named, warned: "It won't look good if the Minister of Youth and Sport is turning his back on young Bermudians who are trying to pursue a career.'' Dr. Snaith said the board had tried to strike a balance between Bermudianisation of jobs and the dental needs of the Island.

He added the only exception he could recall was a specialist in gum disease recruited from abroad because no Bermudian was qualified.

Dr. Snaith said: "That is one of the few exceptions I can think of where a non-Bermudian has been given the green light to practice here.'' And he added: "Dr. Dyer did apply for an assistant in his practice on two occasions and I can confirm his application was turned down on two occasions -- the most recent around two weeks ago.'' But spokesman for the Department of Immigration said that the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, who looks after immigration matters, would have to consider an application to bring in a foreign dentist.

He added: "Where there is a statutory body, the Minister would have to consult. The Minister is not obliged to accept the advice, but he has to have it.'' The spokesman said that the Minister would take into account whether the needs of the community were being addressed and the availability of existing services.

And he added: "Anybody who wants to bring a dentist in can apply -- they are treated no differently from a waiter or an accountant.'' Labour and Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness is off the Island and not available for comment.

Education Minister Jerome Dill, currently acting Premier and acting Home Affairs spokesman, said he could not comment on specific cases.

But he added: "It would become a question for the Department of Immigration, which would consider a number of matters, one of which would be public policy, bearing in mind what is best policy for Bermuda.'' And he said: "It's a Government department, not a professional body, which is responsible for deciding who is allowed to work in Bermuda.'' Dr. Dyer, however, was staying tight-lipped over his recruitment plans.

He said: "I intend to continue being a dentist and make sure the needs of my patients are taken care of and keep the business I have functioning.'' He added: "I have run an advertisement locally and I have to wait and see what the response is.''