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

I strongly disagree. The professional regulation unit's notes relating to this matter from August 2015 refer to allied dental health professions who are not allowed to practise independently, which is everyone other than dentists, orthodontists and clinical dental technicians. It is important that the Minister of State understands that while not registering the professions, the Dental Council may introduce rules, etc. It is critically important that it is recognised that not only Dr. Croke but the entire panel which came before us, including the board members and representatives of the Dublin Dental Hospital, indicated very clearly that they want mandatory registration across the board for the very sound reason that once one registers and regulates an area, standards improve and one has authority across the board. I am asking for a re-evaluation so that not only the independent practitioners I have named but those who are the allied support professions within the overall dental health care team, including dental technicians, dental nurses, hygienists and others, are under mandatory registration. That is very important.

In respect of the powers to inspect, will the Minister of State clarify whether, after the enactment of the new legislation, the Dental Council will have the power to inspect and close illegal practices in the public interest because that has not happened heretofore?

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