Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
874. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to ensure effective and ongoing communication between the Health Service Executive, her Department and the Irish Dental Association in relation to the public dental service and the dental treatment services scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51879/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra875. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the structures or forums in place for regular engagement between the Health Service Executive and the Irish Dental Association; the principal issues and resourcing demands raised by the association through those channels; the way in which the Health Service Executive has responded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51880/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra877. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to ensure ongoing engagement between her Department, the Health Service Executive and dental representative bodies on the implementation of the national oral health policy Smile agus Sláinte; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51882/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 874, 875 and 877 together.
On the 31st of January this year, I was pleased to attend the Irish Dental Association's National Meeting for dentists working in general practice. I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Association and its members to discuss the challenges in providing oral healthcare and the progress that the Department is making in the sector.
I acknowledge the important role that the Association has for representing dentists in Ireland. In that regard, my Department officials have been engaging with the Association to discuss the future of oral healthcare in Ireland, particularly in relation to the upcoming Oral Health Action Plan. My officials also invited the IDA to provide a submission with regards to the Dental Treatment Services Scheme fee review. Last week my officials, along with the HSE, met with a delegation of the Association to engage on the Action Plan goals.
The Oral Health Action Plan will focus on a number of clear priorities:
Addressing waiting lists in the School Dental Programme and orthodontics
To strengthen and expand the Special Access Programme
Reviewing and improving the Dental Treatment Services Scheme
Support recruitment, education and training
Support innovation and new ways of delivering care
Over the next two years, the aim is to stabilise services, reduce waiting times, and make access measurably better for patients—while laying the groundwork for longer-term reform.
Recent engagements with the Irish Dental Association, the Irish Dental Hygienists Association and the Dental Council have ranged from addressing waiting lists and delivering near term improvements to the schools program, to improving the supply of dental team members by exploring innovative ways of broadening the educational and training options for both hygienists and dental nurses. We will also be consulting with colleagues in DFHERIS on educational opportunities for both the current and future dental workforce. My Department and the HSE will continue to engage with wider stakeholders, including representative bodies as the plan is progressed and implemented.
My Department officials are currently engaging with HSE counterparts to finalise this action plan.
