279. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the assessment that has been undertaken of consultant dental workforce requirements over the next ten years; the number of consultant vacancies currently existing; the number of consultants expected to retire within five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48072/26]

280. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of specialist dental training places available in each dental specialty in each of the past five years; her plans to increase training capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48073/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.

The Deputy should note the majority of dentistry in Ireland can be carried out in a primary care setting. Currently, there are only two specialties that are recognised in Ireland, which are orthodontics and oral surgery. This is in line with the EU Professional Qualifications Directive which explicitly recognises in Annex 5.3.3. two professional dental specialisations, orthodontics and oral surgery.

The Dental Council specifies the titles and designation of qualifications in specialised dentistry granted in the State which may be required to enable a person to secure registration in the Register of Dental Specialists under Section 37(2) of the Dentists Act 1985. This enables dentists, to be eligible to be registered on the specialist list of orthodontics and oral surgery.

With regards to orthodontists, they are enabled to work in both the public and private sector. Within the public sector, two categories of posts exist: Consultant Orthodontists and Specialist Orthodontists and both require the registrant to be eligible to be registered on the specialist orthodontic list of the Dental Council. The Health Service Executive (HSE) employs orthodontists in the public dental service and outlines the competencies required for both specialist and consultant posts.

In relation to consultant posts both oral surgeon and orthodontic posts appointed by the HSE are discussed by the appropriate Regional Health Area Consultant Appointment Steering Group. Once it is approved, it is listed for committee review at the Consultant Appointment Advisory Committee (CAAC). The purpose of the CAAC is to recommend permanent consultant posts for approval, ensuring applicants meet the necessary qualifications and that the roles align with national health policy.

The introduction of any additional specialisms would need to be carefully considered in line with the Professional Qualifications Directive, as well as the approach of the National Oral Health Policy which focuses on initially establishing and prioritising a primary care approach and aims to move to a preventative, outcome-focused model for people of all ages to improve their “personal best” oral health.

Currently both Dublin Dental University Hospital at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and Cork University Dental School and Hospital at University College Cork (UCC) offer specialist dental training. TCD offers a specialist qualification dental training which is a DChDent. UCC offers two options for specialist dental training which are the D Clin Dent in Oral Surgery and the D Clin Dent in Orthodontics.

I am aware that TCD does not have a minimum number of students, but as per Irish Committee of Specialist Training in Dentistry regulations, they cannot have more than 6 students overall in each of the DChDent programmes. Usually, TCD offers a maximum of 2 place per year. With regards to UCC its intake is 3 to 4 students for each programme every three years (i.e. new intake when the current intake is completed).

A process will need to be undertaken to formally recognise certain sites – including dental hospitals, hospitals, and other locations with appropriate facilities and skilled staff, even if not in hospital settings – as advanced oral healthcare centres. This will be undertaken during the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy. The need for additional training and/or specialisation in specific areas of dentistry will be considered as part of this process.