Mr. Fintan Hourihan:

We have never encountered a situation where people have said to us that there is not an acceptance that dentistry is important. Dentistry was regarded as an essential service at the start of the pandemic. Dental practices have remained open. The State has recognised that it is important that patients are able to continue to attend with all suitable precautions being put in place. There is no doubt that the State and the authorities recognise that dentistry is important but in my opinion, it does not follow through by adequately funding the service, particularly for those who have the most difficulty in meeting the costs of attending their dentist.