Medical thinking concerning the practice of hypnotism was slow in recognising the realities of the situation. In the UK the 1970s saw a considerable increase in the use of hypnotism by clinical and educational psychologists, and this resulted in the founding of the British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis in 1977, which covered the three professions recognised by the International Society. In the case of dentists, it follows that they should restrict their use of hypnosis to problems encountered in dentistry. Using the term “profession” in its widest sense, there are several related professions that use physical manipulation and have a legitimate use for hypnosis. Many non-lay practitioners would like to see laws restricting the use of hypnosis to certain qualified professional people, and the outiawing of hypnosis as a means of entertainment. Few people in this country who advertise their services as “hypnotherapists” are qualified to be employed to carry out formal psychological therapy within the Health Service.