Mr. Fintan Hourihan:

There is an excellent document, which the Dental Council has published and which is available to view on its website, which offers advice to patients in choosing a dentist, be it here in Ireland or abroad. It sets out good questions, particularly if one is considering going aboard. It is perfectly legitimate for people to choose where they are treated, but especially if they are going outside the country, there are some specific questions they need to ask. The Dental Council has put together an excellent document. The pity is that it is not widely known to the public.

As an association, part of our role is to advocate. We convey that from time to time. Sometimes people will criticise us because they will suggest we have an ulterior motive. We do not because our members, as the Senator indicates, are the ones to whom the patients come back presenting and asking to be provided with remedial treatment. As the Senator states, often it can be a multiple of what it cost and what they thought they were saving in the first place.

We would like to see greater awareness. The Dental Council has a remit to care for patients and to look after the welfare and interests of patients. We would like to see greater awareness of the excellent guide that it has published, that is available to view on its website but, unfortunately, is not as widely known as it ought to be.