A bill to modernise the rules governing the dental profession was passed yesterday with all-party support.

Dentists, hygienists and assistants will be required to have continuing education to remain registered, a professional conduct committee will be set up and the board must report annually on its dealings.

The Board will increase from five to seven members with the senior Government dental officer becoming an ex officio member.

The Dental Practitioners Amendment Act 2008 amends a 1950 act which had no provision for registering dental hygienists and assistants.

The Bermuda Dental Association and Bermuda Dental Hygiene Association will be allowed to nominate members for the Minister to appoint, similar to other medical boards.

Mr. Bascome, a fully certified dental technician who never took up the profession, said the Bill would ensure dentistry in Bermuda was up to date for the 21st Century.

Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson backed the majority of the Bill but raised concerns about the clause which said the Board could limit every dentist to employing no more than a yet-to-be-specified number of hygienists.

She said it had been likened to telling Boyles how many shoe sales people they could employ.

"You are really getting into something this legislation has no business getting into."

Her colleague Trevor Moniz said it was a serious issue as the Board had often blocked dental hygienists from arriving by ignoring letters from Immigration on the matter.

Prospective employees got so sick of waiting they lost interest said Mr. Moniz. The suspicion was that some members of the board didn't have hygienists and didn't think anyone else should have them either, said Mr. Moniz.

Shadow Education Minister Grant Gibbons said it was a clear conflict of interest for dentists on the Board to judge how many employees competitors could have.

Minister Bascome said those who felt aggrieved could appeal to the Minister and it was up to the professionals themselves to decide was a fair number of hygienists to have.

He said it was a health and safety issue to make sure there was no overcrowding at a practice.