Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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1741.To ask the Minister for Health the progress his Department has made on updating the Dental Act 1985 in light of the abrupt closure of an orthodontic practice in Galway in August 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34547/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Health is committed to reviewing the Dentists Act 1985. The review and updating of the legislation also, necessarily, is directly related to the wider implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which envisages a fundamental reform of oral health services. As such, any new legislation will also be informed by this work. An implementation plan for the 2024-2026 phase of rollout of the NOHP is being drafted by my Department and the HSE, for consultation and subsequent publication this year.

A priority for 2024 is to consider the development of a small number of interim enhancements to the Dentist Act in areas identified as a priority by the Dental Council and to proceed with these amendments where appropriate. .

A series of thematic engagements between the Department and the Dental Council are underway to inform the development of a fundamental legislative reform programme and any legislative change will ultimately be a decision for the Oireachtas.

Unfortunately, the issue of refunds for treatment not received is a private matter and can only be resolved between the patient and the dentist. Neither the Dental Council as the professional regulator, the Department of Health or the Minister for Health have the power to intervene in this matter regarding refunds.

The Competition and Consumer Protection (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. The CCPC may be able to advise further in this regard.