Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the concerns regarding barriers to entry in the dental profession; her proposals to alter the arrangements under which a person may enter training to become a dentist or may be recognised as competent to provide dental services here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10800/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for undergraduate training of dentists lies with my colleague the Minister for Education and Science. I have been informed that on access to dental education the Higher Education Authority has recommended that consideration be given to placing a range of health science courses on a graduate entry rather than undergraduate entry basis. This will potentially address the very high levels of competition among school leavers to access these courses and should provide more flexibility of access to non-traditional higher education students such as mature students and disadvantaged students. The Minister for Education and Science has asked the working group on undergraduate medical education to consider a graduate entry approach to medicine in the first instance. I understand that there are no plans at present to actively consider the extension of this approach to other courses.

Furthermore, I understand that the Competition Authority has announced its intention to consider issues of competition arising in a number of professions, including the dental profession. While a background paper has been published the Authority has not completed a formal study.

As the Deputy may be aware, in order to practise as a dentist it is necessary for an individual to register with the dental council, which was established under the Dentists Act 1985. I am informed by the dental council that under the terms of Directive 78/686/EEC and other relevant agreements that EEA nationals who hold a scheduled dental qualification are entitled to register and practise in Ireland. In 2004 the dental council registered 58 dentists from other member states of the EEA.

I have been informed that the dental council holds an annual examination in order to facilitate dentists from outside the EEA who wish to practise their profession in Ireland. Success in this examination confers entitlement to full registration in the register of dentists for Ireland. A total of 24 dentists from various countries such as the Philippines, India, Nigeria and Ukraine have been accepted for the 2005 examination which is being held this week.