Professor Leo Stassen:

When the Government introduced the change and reduced the level of dental treatment available to patients, we saw a significant increase in the number of children who presented for dental extractions in the hospital and the HSE extraction centres. It is frightening when one sees the damage it does to a child and their future. It frightens them away from prevention and everything else in that regard. The new oral health policy refers to prevention, which is excellent and which we support completely, but the problem is that it takes time for prevention measures to work. We believe the current structure of packages will actually detract from the ability to look after children, in particular those children with special needs. We honestly believe there will be an increased need for extractions, not only in children but also adults, because of the way the policy has been put in place. I hope that answers the Deputy's question.

The Deputy also asked if there were enough staff to undertake the treatment in the public dental service and the hospitals. I say "No". The waiting lists in both areas are very significant. If the strategy was to be implemented - that is the important element - it would send patients to general dental practitioners who in many ways would not be able to cope with what the Government was asking of them. There was no discussion on the policy, which was very unfortunate. We believe it will increase inequality in providing dental care for all patients - young and old - and think that is very serious. We want to work with the Department of Health. We certainly would welcome a national oral health policy, but there are many flaws in what has been produced. It is akin to a computer programmer producing a computer programme without discussing it with the people who will need to introduce it.