Mr. Joe Ryan:

Since January 2020, 199 dentists have left, including 19 dentists since January 2021. One of the members quoted some figures on the number of active contracts. In late 2017, there was an exercise to deal with inactive contracts and we are going through a similar exercise, with three CEOs yet to complete it. There are approximately 100 additional inactive contracts which happens when a dentist moves on from a practice without letting the HSE know. We are therefore not in a position to put an exit date against the contract.

We share the Chair's concern about frustration experienced by patients. We do not want anyone to be left without an essential service and dental treatment is one such service. We follow through on each concern made or representation raised with us. If a patient makes a complaint about not being able to access a dentist, we follow through on that as well. We assist medical card holders, when we can, with lists of available contractors. Sometimes we must go beyond that and assist a vulnerable person with making contact with the dentist.

We operate the scheme within the parameters set out in the legislation and regulation that governs the scheme. As I said, we work closely with our colleagues in the Department of Health on the operation of the scheme. We are bringing the difficulties some medical card holders experience to their attention.

As our Department colleagues said, we expect to see a shift from a diagnosis and treatment approach to a preventative approach in a revised scheme. We look forward to that.