Recently, Senator Boyle gave me one of the reports from the health committee, which did a recent report on dental services. They constitute an issue that I have raised in this House numerous times. We know that we have not been producing enough dentists historically and that we do not have enough dentistry places. Last September, we welcomed the addition of 20 new places, but there is still a lack of places. Only something like 8% to 10% of applicants are getting places on dental courses in Ireland. This is not meeting demand. That resonates throughout the country. We are seeing three-, four- and five-month waiting lists to get into dentistry. We all receive calls in our offices every day of the week. Medical card holders are unable to find a dentist who will accept them. Dentists are not accepting new medical card holders. It was great to see that the report pointed out the need for more dentists and dental places, but it also pointed out there was an opportunity to give dental hygienists more responsibilities to alleviate some of the pressure on our dentists.

I would like us to have a debate on dentistry, maybe get someone in from the Department of Health, and see whether we can have a good wholesome conversation and try to address some of these issues. It is not only affecting my area or Senator Duffy's area; it is affecting everybody's area. It is a topic that we need to have a discussion about. Dental health has a lasting impact on overall health. Addressing dental health early can reduce some of the financial pressures on other areas within the health service, as can having that conversation about dental check-ups for primary school children because we all know the waiting list extends to that as well. I would welcome the opportunity to have that conversation.