Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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757. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 25 January 2022, if he has approved the HSE submission to his Department for the formal recognition of the grade of orthodontic therapist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7993/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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There is an ongoing dialogue between the Department of Health and the HSE in relation to orthodontic therapists.

Orthodontic therapists are recognised by the Dental Council to work in this country as part of an orthodontic specialist service team.

The role of an orthodontic therapist was created on a pilot initiative in HSE Dublin North-East where WTE from nursing or hygienists’ grade were released from the HSE to pursue the Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy. There are currently 4 staff in the system, three dental nurses and one dental hygienist grade carrying out the roles and responsibilities of an Orthodontic Therapist subject to the conditions agreed at the setup of the pilot scheme.

The Department of Health is giving active consideration to the recent proposals to create a HSE grade of orthodontic therapist as part of the wider agenda for the dental workforce envisaged under the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte.