Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

111. To ask the Minister for Health if he will actively engage with the relevant educational bodies to examine the training and scope of all work carried out by auxiliary dental workers, that is dental technicians and clinical dental technicians, with a view to expanding the range of direct services to the public, without the necessity of having to see a dentist first as is currently the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18361/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

112. To ask the Minister for Health if he will actively engage with the relevant educational bodies to conduct a review of how undergraduate education programmes can best support the Smile Agus Sláinte policy, in particular in regards to the provision of care to vulnerable groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18362/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

113. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to the reintroduction of a foundation training scheme (details supplied) to facilitate new dental school graduates in gaining experience in a mentored environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18367/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

114. To ask the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to broaden the range of dental specialities in Ireland through appropriate educational pathways to include a broader range of dental specialities particularly in areas such as disability and paediatrics, wherein any new scope of practice or expanded roles would be properly regulated by the Dental Council with mandatory registration for these professionals, in view that there are currently just two recognised dental specialities in Ireland, orthodontics and oral surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18368/23]

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

129. To ask the Minister for Health if he will actively engage with the relevant authorities to evaluate the scope of primary care practice in supporting the implementation of Smile Agus Sláinte Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18378/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 114, inclusive, and 129 together.

The National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, sets out a new model of oral healthcare delivery. This policy focuses on a primary oral healthcare approach that will enable greater access to care by examining the training, roles and regulation of dental health professionals. There will be a particular focus on improved oral healthcare services for all vulnerable groups, including people in nursing and residential homes

Undergraduate dental education will need to be realigned with the Policy by placing primary oral healthcare at its centre. The primary oral healthcare approach represents a significant change which requires an education system, both at undergraduate and graduate level, to ensure that the profession can respond to the oral healthcare needs of the whole population. In addition, ensuring that a sufficient breadth of skills is maintained in the profession will enable it to be flexible and responsive as the population’s oral health needs change

In line with the Sláintecare implementation plan and the primary oral healthcare approach, a focused programme, led by the Dental Council, will be required in order to reassess auxiliary dental workers’ scope of practice. This programme will consider enabling the public to have direct access to additional auxiliary dental workers, where possible. Currently, once provision of oral healthcare services directly to a patient is involved, oral healthcare professionals generally fall into the compulsory registration category. Any potential risks to the public of implementing a triage system have to be considered and regulated accordingly. Nonetheless, such a system would ensure improved access for the public overall.