Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before I bring in Deputy Cullinane, I have a few questions for the Department and the HSE. What percentage of dentists who are working in private practice or the community hold a contract to supply public services under PRSI and other contracts? Is there any move to reverse the FEMPI cuts for dentists? In recent months we have had a move to restore funding for general practice, but I do not think there has been a move to reverse the FEMPI reductions that are affecting dentists. The delegates might comment on that matter.

What level of funding will be needed to fund implementation of the oral health strategy? What funding is available for it at present? What increase is needed? We have been battling with the amount of money that will be needed to implement Sláintecare. We are trying to determine how much money will be needed each year and when it will be released. I ask the delegates to respond to these questions.

My next question relates to public orthodontic waiting lists. I understand there are 13 public orthodontists. Is that right? How many would be needed to clear a waiting list of 1,800? It seems that there are more people waiting than in treatment. Surely the way to address this issue is by increasing the number of orthodontists, rather than using private dentists to pick up the slack through an NTPF-type mechanism which does not really address the problem. Such mechanisms try to fill the gap, rather than addressing the actual problem.

Will Dr. Dougall address the issue of where treatment is provided for those with complex special needs? There are probably patients in all our constituencies who cannot have such treatment delivered by their community dentist. Is it delivered through dental hospitals or general hospital services? How and where can people access those services?

We received a submission from dental hygienists, the main point of which is that they are entirely focused on prevention. They do not seem to be involved in the oral hygiene policy. Where do they fit into it, particularly in regard to prevention?