Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

169. To ask the Minister for Health the reasons she has yet to bring forward interim amendments to the Dentists Act 1985 to address the priority areas identified by an organisation (details supplied); the timeline she is working towards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64323/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department of Health is committed to updating the Dentists Act 1985. The review and updating of the legislation 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. The implementation plan for the first phase of the National Oral Health Policy implementation is currently being finalised by my Department and the HSE, and includes the updating of the Dentists Act 1985 as one of a number of priority actions.

During 2025, the Department has undertaken a two-strand approach to the review and updating of the Dentists Act 1985. In order to inform the wider review of the Dentists Act 1985, a series of thematic engagements on legislative matters between the Department and the Dental Council has taken place These are important inputs to the overall regulatory reform programme that the Department is developing, with the objective of introducing a new modern regulatory framework for all relevant aspects of dentistry.

Ahead of the revision of the wider Dentists Act 1985, a priority 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. This will include providing a statutory basis for the Dental Council to develop a scheme for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for registered dentists in line with those provided for other regulated health professionals, and a small number of other amendments. Policy development in relation to providing a statutory basis for CPD for dentists is at an advanced stage, with stakeholder engagement having been undertaken as a part of the this process.

Any legislative change will ultimately be a decision for the Oireachtas.