A number of boards refer patients who are medically compromised and who need complex care to specialist dental units in Cork University Hospital and Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. In this way, the health boards ensure the welfare and safety of these patients. Equally, the Dublin Dental School and Hospital acts as a national resource for health board and general practice dentists for the referral of patients who require specialist treatments that dentists cannot provide. The Dublin Dental School and Hospital has service agreements with a range of agencies to provide specialist care services and these play an important role in specialist and consultant training programmes, as well as delivering specialist care for patients. A paediatric dental service is provided at Tallaght and Temple Street Children's Hospitals by the Dublin Dental Hospital. Discussions are taking place regarding the provision of a more comprehensive service at Temple Street Hospital, Dublin.