Public dentistry services
Deputy Cairns criticised the collapse of public dental services and long waiting lists for children. The Taoiseach said the Government would support her motion, promised to seek a legislative answer, and noted investment in the dental workforce and public waiting lists.
Public dental services have been completely abandoned by successive health Ministers. Every child in this country should have three free check-ups during primary school, but waiting lists have got so long that some children are not being seen until they are in transition year.
The number of dentists with a public contract has plummeted from 1,450 in 2012 to only about 600 today. On top of this, the sector is barely regulated. Dentists are not required to keep up competence to practise, there is no regulation of their conduct and there are no inspections of their clinics by the Dental Council. RTÉ reported that 37 dentists were working in Ireland despite being sanctioned abroad, one of whom has a sexual assault conviction. How has this been allowed to happen?
When will we finally see the legislation needed to regulate the sector and assure safety for patients? What is the Government doing to ensure that all primary school children receive their three free check-ups? Will the Government support the Social Democrats motion on this issue, to be taken tomorrow?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Cairns for raising this issue and for her Private Members' motion, which the Government will support tomorrow. I thank her for putting the motion down.
I will have to come back to the Deputy with an answer from the Minister for Health regarding the legislation. I will get that for her directly. We are trying to grow the dental workforce and invest more in dentistry services. As of yesterday there are 3,661 dentists on the Dental Council register. That is an increase of 189 since March 2023. It is the highest number ever. We are obviously trying-----
Comment on this
I am asking about public dentistry.
Comment on this
I know you are but the direct answer is that we have to grow the number of dentists in our country in the first instance. We are investing specifically more in regard to waiting lists in the public service, including a further €3.5 million this year. I will perhaps write to the Deputy. We will have an opportunity to outline our position on the motion tomorrow.