Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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293. To ask the Minister for Health if he has identified a timeline for updating the Dental Act 1985, as committed to in the national oral health policy in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53995/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that the Dentists Act 1985 needs to be updated to align with other healthcare profession regulatory legislation. The Act was amended by the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020, which was signed into law in October 2020.

Legislation to replace the Dentists Act 1985 will provide for comprehensive regulatory governance of the dental profession, in alignment with the National Oral Health Policy, Smile Agus Sláinte. It will also support a range of strategic workforce planning initiatives, including education and training, in the Policy, to underpin the comprehensive service reforms set out.

I have already asked my officials to progress with this work, including the identification of a timeline for completion. Officials are engaging with relevant stakeholders on this.