Mr. Fintan Hourihan:

We would like to emphasise that in the same way as oral and general health are mutually connected, all aspects of the dental service in Ireland are mutually connected and interdependent. Members heard from Dr. O'Neill that where children are not seen at an early stage, it has an impact on their oral health for years to come. It is then compounded for 16-year-olds. The divide that is there between those who can and cannot afford dental care widens remarkably after the age of 16 because of the limits in the medical card scheme that are not there if one goes to see a dentist privately. That only serves to widen that divide. Up to the age of 16, there is, in theory, the possibility that all children will have the same opportunity to access screening via the schools system. One of the concerns we have is that what is being proposed in the new oral health strategy will dilute that equity of screening within the schools service. I see that Dr. Robins has her hand raised so I will not say anymore but it is important to emphasise that all aspects of the dental service are connected, whether it is orthodontics, school screening, care for special needs patients, care for children or care for adults.

It requires an approach which looks at that connectivity in the broadest sense. We are on record as saying that we did not feel that we had the chance to meaningfully contribute to the oral health policy. We would like a chance to reset the relationship with the Department and to sit down and look at the principles enunciated in the strategy, most of which we would broadly support, and to review how they are actually given effect.