Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
51. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Health her plans to address recruitment and retention challenges within dental services, particularly in the HSE Public Dental Service; the way in which the Department intends to ensure that workforce capacity will meet public demand for dental care into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5037/26]
View answerMy Department is aware of recruitment and retention challenges which are discussed and reviewed at monthly performance engagement meetings with the HSE.
The HSE have advised that recruitment processes must be robust given the dental services it provides to the public, including to the most vulnerable in society. This includes matters such as Garda clearance and police clearances from other jurisdictions, alongside engagement with the relevant professional regulators to validate professional qualifications. Notwithstanding efficient recruitment processes, these specific requirements impact on overall recruitment timelines, but are necessary to ensure protection of the public.
On a positive note, €4m has been invested by the Government to support the addition of 15 HSE dental staff across dentists and dental nurses to deliver oral healthcare in the community. Of these 15 posts, 8 have been complete, 3 have campaigns underway, and 4 have not yet been filled.
My Department intends to address workforce capacity by further engaging with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) with regards to increasing the capacity of Irish/EU students in University College Cork, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin.
As part of this engagement, the Department of Health has received a proposal for funding from University College Cork to establish a dental outreach centre. This would enable the training of additional undergraduate students in the dentistry programme, in a primary care setting, benefiting both Irish and EU students. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and DFHERIS to try and progress this proposal with a view to maximising both Irish and EU places to enhance workforce capacity in Ireland, as well as increased service provision.
Furthermore, officials in my Department have recently received a draft proposal to increase the number of dental places at the Dublin Dental University Hospital, located at Trinity College Dublin. This will require further discussion and agreement between my Department and DFHERIS
The Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI) commenced its new Bachelor of Dental Surgery Programme in September 2025. The RCSI has informed us that its intake is 30 students, 21 of whom are Irish/EU students. The RCSI has secured an agreement with the HEA to expand its intake to 35 Irish/EU student places by 2027. Over time, this will expand domestic graduate output by approximately 25% and contribute to workforce sustainability. Overall, the RCSI has indicated that it will produce 75 graduate dentists per annum when fully operational.
My Department remains committed to ensuring that our oral healthcare system is supported by a steady and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled graduates. Ensuring adequate capacity to train future dentists is part of the Government's commitment to workforce planning that supports the health and wellbeing of our population. By enhancing our future workforce, we are taking steps to ensure that the National Oral Health Policy is implemented.
