Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Defence if it is intended to deploy a Defence Forces dentist to Chad; his views on whether such a deployment is necessary in view of the fact that the dental standards aimed for by the medical corps is that all personnel should be dentally fit for a 12 month deployment and whether such a deployment is cost effective in view of the shortage of military dental officers and the increased costs of using civilian dentists here that would ensue from deploying a dentist to Chad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13513/08]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Defence Forces deployment to the UN mandated EU-led mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, it is intended to deploy a Dental Officer and a Dental Surgery Attendant to CHAD.

Experience in Liberia has shown that even among personnel who are dentally fit, unforeseen dental health issues can arise which, if not taken care of as they arise, can lead to later dental morbidity which could have been avoided by timely treatment. Therefore, in the long-term interests of the Dental Health of the personnel of the Defence Forces, this deployment is necessary.