Dr. Dympna Kavanagh:

This highlights exactly why we say there is a need for change and to look towards the other European countries. Technology has changed enormously in dentistry, even in the past five years. A person has only to walk down the high street to see the number of dentists working in practice who are providing orthodontics. This was undreamt of before. I am not just talking about orthodontics but also about implants and other elements. I am not talking about any advanced areas. We absolutely need our specialists for those areas, but it is important to see what we can do in the primary care setting, reasonably and appropriately and supported by specialists and consultants. I am not just talking about orthodontics. A very clear example has been given of why we need a new way to look at features. The model has worked excellently for us. We have excellent oral health in Ireland but the model needs to change now. As said, we just cannot keep up. Changes in technology have now allowed us to have the facilities to look at this in a different way and make sure that, where possible and appropriate, people in Waterford can gain access through their local primary care dentist, with support from the specialists and the advance centres. Support is key. I am referring to what we want in the policy. We are so keen to start on the advanced centres of care so quickly so we can have the specialists in place. Their jobs would not just be about treatment but also about mentoring and support. Also, primary care dentists should have the opportunity to provide what they believe they can provide. In consultation, they were adamant that they have the skills, want to use all of them and want to provide services in other areas of secondary care. They just need the support. It is an urgent piece of work. It is a priority in the policy. We must move forward in that direction. In all the areas of secondary care, let us move forward with the rest of Europe.