Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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405. To ask the Minister for Health if the Dentist Act 1985 will be amended to allow dental hygienists direct access to persons in view of recent changes to the dental treatment benefit scheme reinstating a free scale and polish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49275/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I do not proposed to make an amendment to Part VII of the Dentists Act 1985 at this point in time as my Department is currently developing new legislation to replace the Dentist Act 1985. The regulation and role of dental hygienists is being examined in the context of this new legislation.

The development of new dental legislation is a priority for me. Drafting the scheme of the Bill has commenced, however, it is at an early stage.