Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)

I am happy to support this extremely important motion calling on the Government to take strong, proactive steps to reform and modernise dental services in Ireland. I lend my support to the call for the Dentists Act 1985 to be updated. The legislation is now four decades old and no longer reflects the realities of a modern dental profession. We need a framework that supports high standards of care, ensures accountability and gives regulators the tools they need to protect patients and support practitioners. Updating this Act is long overdue. Furthermore, the Dentists Act 1985 established the Dental Council of Ireland, which plays a vital role in regulating the dental profession and protecting the public. However, it is now clear this legislation needs modernisation to reflect today's clinical standards, workforce needs and patient expectations.

If we are serious about improving access to oral healthcare, we must increase the number of training places in dentistry and dental hygiene courses in Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. A sustainable workforce is at the core of any functioning healthcare system. The demand for dentists is growing yet capacity to train them remains constrained. Investment in this area is not just necessary; it is urgent. I also welcome the establishment of the new dentistry programmes, including the upcoming bachelor of dental surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2025. This expansion is a necessary response to workforce shortages and will support the next generation of dental professionals. I welcome the renewed commitment to the Smile agus Sláinte national oral health policy. This policy has the potential to transform how we deliver dental care by shifting the focus to prevention, early intervention and access in the community. Implementing this policy fully must be a priority. The national oral health policy also outlines strategic workforce planning actions and these must be fully resourced and supported to ensure adequate capacity across the country.

In particular, I welcome the call to expand orthodontic treatment for children and to enhance the dental package for younger patients under the national oral health policy. Families are facing long waiting lists, high costs and patchy access to public services. We can and must do better for our children. A solid focus on the dental health of our children will help to eliminate costly and painful dental issues later in life. Equally, I support the proposal to introduce mobile dental units for residents in nursing homes and others with limited mobility. No one should be denied basic oral healthcare because of where they live or their ability to travel. This is a practical and compassionate solution to a real gap in services. In the interim, hiring recently retired dentists for school checkups and screenings is a smart and sensible step. Many schools, particularly those outside the major urban centres, are missing out on routine dental checks. This is a way to maintain standards and reach children who may be at risk of going unseen.

We also cannot ignore the experiences of patients left financially vulnerable when dental or orthodontic practices close suddenly. This motion rightly calls on the Government to work across Departments and agencies, including with the Dental Council of Ireland and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, to develop safeguards. Patients need to be protected, especially when they have paid in advance for treatments they may never receive. Patients cannot be left financially exposed and clinically unsupported. In supporting this motion, I acknowledge the important steps taken by the State in laying the groundwork for dental reform. The publication of the Smile agus Sláinte national oral health policy in 2019 marked a turning point in how we view and deliver oral healthcare in Ireland. It prioritised prevention, early intervention and equity of access, especially for vulnerable groups. Its implementation now is a must.

I also acknowledge the role of the dental treatment services scheme, which provides essential access to dental care for adult medical card holders. This scheme is a crucial safety net for low-income patients and its continued enhancement must remain a policy priority. I also highlight that taxpayers may claim relief on specialist dental treatments and that many workers and self-employed individuals are eligible for dental benefit under the treatment benefit scheme. These schemes help to ease the financial burden and increase access to essential dental care, but more is required. We should not ignore the impact of smoking on oral health, increasing the risk of gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer. Public health initiatives must continue to link oral health with wider lifestyle and well-being supports. In closing, I thank the proposers of this motion for bringing attention to this vital issue. Oral health is not a luxury, but a key part of our overall health and well-being. The proposals outlined today are measured, sensible, achievable and very necessary.