Mr. Fintan Hourihan:

I will ask Professor Stassen to address a number of clinical matters raised by Deputies Durkan and O'Connell because the professor is eminently qualified to deal with them. To supplement what Dr. Marley said, we have regular engagement, far more frequently than annually, with the HSE and the Department of Health. In recent years, the standard response has been that orthodontics is considered as part of the oral health policy. We now have the policy, which is a basis for discussion and we intend to approach it on those terms.

Deputy Durkan raised the matter of orthodontics. As he correctly indicated, there have been problems with waiting lists and the demand for orthodontic care and treatment that long predate 2009. A report into orthodontic services has been commissioned by the HSE. It has not been published, although we would like it to be. We are aware there has been another recent controversy and that a report will be published imminently in that regard. We are keen for both reports to be published sooner rather than later and we will see what issues will arise. There is no getting away from the fact that there is insufficient capacity in the public service to offer the care required. The index of treatment need system is a way of dealing with that and rationing what can be provided with the available resources. It cannot be denied it is a resource related issue. As for the regularity of our submissions, we take the point that we must keep making representations on the matter.

Professor Stassen might speak about the issues of fluoridation, antibiotics, HPV and technicians.