Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 8 October 2015

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Dental Regulation: Dental Council of Ireland

9:30 am

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Is that the case? The council is working very closely with dental technicians to establish a voluntary register. How well progressed is the council with that, and does Dr. Croke have confidence that it will be established in the short term? As I said, that is essential to get to the point of statutory registration in the event that the legislation will reflect the need.

My reading of what the drafters are thinking is in terms of independent practices as against those who are ancillary to them, that is, dentists, orthodontists - I presume - and clinical dental clinicians who are stand-alone in their respective roles and functions. The situation regarding dental nurses, hygienists and dental technicians is that these are not of themselves independent practitioners but are a part of a team working under any of the aforementioned. I do not know why that thinking has entered into this in regard to dentistry in the widest sense. Registration is an essential part of a range of other areas across the health sector and no such is distinction being made. Why does Dr. Croke believe such a distinction is being made between the referencing I have made to independent practices as against support staff? I am very much of the view, and I welcome the clarity of Dr. Croke's contribution, that it is an objective shared by this committee and the dental council.

As a Deputy, I have a degree of privilege which the delegates do not enjoy. I do not propose to name anybody, but there have been disturbing high profile cases in this area, including one which involved very objectionable behaviour on the part of a practitioner. This is a serious matter that I have no doubt gravely worries, annoys and vexes practitioners holding to the highest standards. How does the Dental Council of Ireland of Ireland react when such cases present, given that, as mentioned by Deputy Billy Kelleher, as things stand, it does not have the power to properly engage to uphold the highest standards across the profession? I would welcome some commentary in that regard, as we cannot ignore this issue. This is the first opportunity we have had to speak about it in this way. I do not want to leave this room regretting that I did not ask the relevant questions. I have put the question in the most appropriate way that will, I hope, allow for comfort in terms of our exchange.

On the issues of registration and regulation, particularly voluntary regulation of dental technicians, the general experience across the board is that standards improve as a consequence of regulation. This is something that will unquestionably be shown in the case of dental technicians. Those who are qualified and committed to the future of their chosen career path surely should not hold back in the interests of some who are not prepared or willing to move forward. I would like to know why we do not as yet have voluntary registration. Are there people who are applying a brake out of selfish interests as against the collective importance of enhancing their particular role?

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