THREE new dentists have arrived in Bermuda after completing their studies abroad, boosting the island's number of practising specialists and easing concerns over what some see as a shortage of dentists.

Drs. Devon Binns, Kianna Simmons and Christopher Allington have joined the ranks of practitioners, increasing the island's number of dentists to 43.

Each currently practising with established dentists, the three new oral physicians are providing additional options for residents of Hamilton, Paget and Devonshire parishes respectively.

"I'm pretty excited to have these new dentists here on the island," said Dr. William Hunt, practising dentist and treasurer of the Bermuda Dental Board.

"These three new dentists offer Bermuda new choices now and are great news for the public and for the dental community."

Dating back more than eight years, the issue over the shortage of dental manpower has been an ongoing row.

According to the Bermuda Dental Association (BDA), of the 30 general practitioners on the island, more than half ¿19 ¿ are not accepting new patients.

Although, the dentist-to-patient ratio in Bermuda is approximately 1,539 patients to each physician, which is on par with statistics from the US, a country that is not viewed as having a shortage of dentists.

Even still, stories of patients being turned away from practitioners' offices and those having to wait several months for an appointment have been heard throughout the island. Others disagree, however, stating that dental offices are busy and newcomers to Bermuda often cannot go to the first dental office that has been recommended to them, thus fuelling the fire of the shortage debate.

"In my opinion, we have had a shortage of dentists for quite a few years now," said Dr. Hunt.

"Signs include the fact that many general dentists are not accepting new patients and that thousands of claims to BF&M and Argus are made each year for dental work done overseas."

According to a spokesperson from BF&M, while they cannot attribute overseas claims to one reason or another, they do applaud the dental community for their efforts to attract more dentists to the island and help support interested students.

"Increasing the complement of on-island dental professionals may promote increased access to and continuity of care," a statement from BF&M said.

"A health care delivery system which assists in driving these factors can lead to an improved level of preventative dental care and therefore decrease costs to insurer and direct consumer alike."

In light of the recent additions, Dr. Hunt has a positive outlook for the future of dentistry on the island.

"With several more students in dental school and the possibility of more dental specialists coming to Bermuda, I'm hopeful that we will not have a worsening shortage and that we might reach a reasonable balance between retiring dentists and new ones," he said.

To help ensure the viability of the dental industry, the BDA has been providing financial support to Bermudian students interested in the field. Over the past six years, they have provided 11 students with loans to help with their studies.

"Our association's Mercer Fund has been giving interest-free loans to Bermudians studying dentistry, dental hygiene, dental assisting and dental technology for many years now," Dr. Hunt said. "We are currently helping seven students with loans and educational grants."

That is good news for both students and patients alike. According to the BDA's web site, the association knows of four Bermudians currently studying to become dentists in the US.

"Two already have their DDS degrees and are in post-graduate training to become qualified maxillofacial surgeons by 2010. One dental student will graduate in 2009 and will likely return sometime in 2010, the other should graduate in 2012."

With the population of Bermuda expected to increase, along with the increase in the amount of older individuals within the community, the dental field will need to expand to meet the needs of the community.

"I don't think there will ever be too many dentists, dental hygienists or certified dental assistants in Bermuda," said Dr. Hunt.

"I would strongly encourage young Bermudians to consider careers in dentistry. We are ready to help with loans from our scholarship fund."

For more information about the Bermuda dental industry or a list of dentist's currently practicing on the island, visit www.bermudadental.bm.