Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State has not explained why there is such a delay in the presentation of this new legislation. The existing Dental Act 1985 is 30 years old. When the Minister of State makes the point in relation to the Dental Council and allied dental health professions and, specifically, those who an practice independently, she is failing to take on board the Dental Council's own very clear position in respect of this matter and the registration of all those who make up the dental health care team. Appearing before the Joint Committee on Health and Children on 8 October, Dr. Eamon Croke, the president of the Dental Council, said the Dental Council believes that all members of the dental health care team should undergo mandatory registration, with the Dental Council making no distinction between those who can practice independently and those in other areas of responsibility, such as dental nurses, hygienists and dental technicians.

If what the Minister of State is talking about is to proceed, it would be only dentists and clinical dental technicians who would be required to register and this is simply not enough. Can the Minister revisit this matter?

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