Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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666. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reform and modernise the practice of dentistry and orthodontics here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18613/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 3 April 2019, I published Smile agus Sláinte, the new National Oral Health Policy, together with my colleague, Regina Doherty TD, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Forty-one actions have been identified to implement the Policy over the next eight years. Nine of these are being prioritised for the first three years. These priority actions include an evaluation of the skills available in the workforce to support the Policy, a review of undergraduate dental education, and an evaluation of the scope of primary care practice. The training and scope of work of all auxiliary dental workers will also be examined. The Policy supports the development of clinical care pathways to ensure that some aspects of orthodontic care, where appropriate, will be more readily available in a primary dental care practice. Stakeholders including the Dental Council will have an important role in progressing these aspects of the Policy.