Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
1041. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if the number of dental hygienist courses provided nationally is sufficient to meet demand; if she has given consideration to the shortage of places and consequential effect of waiting times for appointments; if her Department is in correspondence with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34154/26]
View answerThe National Oral Health Policy envisages moving oral healthcare services to a more prevention-focused model. In this model, dental hygienists could provide preventative elements of the oral healthcare services to both children and adults. However, the number of training places for dental hygienists in Ireland is currently limited, with approximately 20 dental hygiene places per annum between University College Cork and Dublin Dental University Hospital at Trinity College Dublin. We are working to address this.
The Government is firmly committed to ensuring our healthcare system is supported by a steady and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled graduates which is in line with Programme for Government commitments.
My Department regularly engages with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) to discuss the expansion of training places with regards to oral healthcare professionals including dental hygienists. In that context, I understand that officials from DFHERIS are engaging with University College Cork to discuss in detail its proposal to establish a community-based dental outreach centre in North Cork, and to advance this important project.
The proposal, which includes a request for capital investment from my Department will support an increase in undergraduate capacity in dentistry, dental hygiene and dental nursing training places.
My Department has also received a draft proposal to increase training places for all oral healthcare professionals including dental hygienists at the Dublin Dental University Hospital at Trinity College Dublin. This will require further discussion to progress this proposal with the aim to maximise the benefit this proposal will have in terms of increasing the number of oral healthcare professionals in Ireland, as well as increased service provision.
I would like to inform the Deputy that my Department officials met with the Irish Dental Hygienists Association earlier this year to discuss proposals for direct access for dental hygienists. Following this meeting, there is ongoing work with regards to development of a policy paper with a view to advancing direct access for dental hygienists. Direct access must be safe and of course add value for patients.
My Department recently engaged with the Dental Council to discuss direct access and we are committed to progressing proposals to utilise dental hygienists who are important part of our oral healthcare workforce.
Alongside this, engagement with DFHERIS and the Higher Education Authority is ongoing to expand our oral healthcare workforce capacity in a sustainable and strategic manner, as well as exploring capacity regionally across the Technological University sector.By enhancing our future workforce, we are taking steps to ensure that the National Oral Health Policy is implemented.
