James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Dental Council is the regulatory body with the authority to bring a prosecution for breaching section 51 of the Dentists Act 1985, which prohibits the practice of dentistry by unregistered persons. The council has undertaken a significant amount of work investigating the matters raised in the article referred to by the Deputy and its investigation in this regard is ongoing.

A range of initiatives has been undertaken to address the problem of unregistered practitioners. The Dental Council has, where public safety is at risk, referred complaints to the Garda Síochána for investigation and prosecution. It has approved a clinical dental technology programme, delivered at the Dublin Dental University Hospital, as a registerable qualification. The first intake of students has now completed the course and are currently registering with the Dental Council, with a second intake due to commence the programme shortly. The council has published the register of clinical dental technicians on its website and posted an advisory statement for members of the public. Discussions have commenced with the Irish Medicines Board with a view to signing a memorandum of understanding to formalise the transfer of information between it and the council. In addition, the council has obtained positive findings from the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland in three cases concerning denturists advertising their services.

My Department and the Dental Council take the matter of illegal practice very seriously and will continue to work with the relevant authorities in addressing the issue.

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