Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 26 June 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

National Oral Health Policy: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Pat Healy:

A number of the primary care centres mentioned by the Senator have dental clinics. I do not have the exact number, but I will get it for the Senator. A small number of the centres that have been developed have dental clinics. The earlier development of primary care centres focused on the core team. Mental health was added thereafter. In the more recent development of our guidance we have taken account of the overall accommodation needs in a particular location. In those circumstances a wider range of services can be provided. That is what has happened in more recent times. I will get the exact figure, but I think the number of primary care centres that have dental services is small. Dr. Green will set out the position on the 221 clinics in the system. These locally based clinics link with the team and are clearly seen as part of it as we move forward with the development of a network of services.