Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To answer the second query the Deputy raised, that is ongoing and something of which I am very much aware.

As I said, the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, met the Irish Dental Association last November, he spoke at its conference last month and is acutely aware of the challenges. We have discussed it. The reason some dentists say they are leaving the scheme is that they have been seeking a review, including increases in fees, for a number of years. There have been significant changes in dental practice since the current contract was agreed, particularly during the past decade, including new radiographic standards, new technology and higher standards in infection prevention and control, which has added to the cost of running a practice. Dentists also claim the costs associated with the current Covid-19 pandemic, including the additional cost of the personal protective equipment, social distancing of patients and staff being less available, have placed an additional burden on dental practices.

There is no doubt Smile agus Sláinte, the national oral health policy, provides the guiding principles to transform our current oral healthcare service over the next eight years. I look forward to the pending meeting next week between the HSE, the Department and the Irish Dental Association because it is imperative people can get that care when they need it. As we all know, the worst pain one can ever have is toothache. I look forward to reaching a stage to which we aspire, namely, that we move away from symptom-led attendance and an emergency focus to encouraging attendance for preventative care. I will be happy to update the Deputy when we have more information.

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