asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the serious shortage of dentists in the Republic; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shortage of Dentists.
28.
There are approximately 700 dentists registered with the Dental Board and it is assumed that the vast majority of these are actively engaged in the practice of dentistry in this country. This gives a ratio of one dentist to every 4,100 of the population which, while not as good as one might wish, compares favourably with some other European countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scotland. In England and Wales the ratio of dentists to population is 1 to 3,900.
Our dental colleges produce about 60 new dental graduates each year but it has been the experience up to this that more than half of them emigrate to practice dentistry abroad, mainly in Britain. My main concern is to ensure that adequate dental staff is available to provide treatment for those eligible for such treatment under the Health Acts. As I indicated in a reply to Deputy Ryan on 6th February last I have improved the conditions attaching to dental posts in the health authority service. A competition for 40 such posts, under the improved conditions, is at present being held by the Local Appointments Commissioners and I am hopeful that the competition will be successful.
The shortage of dental staff, particularly in so far as the service for children is concerned, will become a less pressing problem when the full benefits of fluoridated water supplies become available.
Will the Minister not admit that the real reason dentists are in short supply in this country is that they are not properly remunerated? There are several counties, particularly the county from which the Minister and I come, where there is a serious shortage of dentists and where it is not possible for people to have teeth extracted in time to save their health. Would the Minister not see to it that something is done in the counties where there is a real scarcity of dentists?
It is because I was concerned about the position in my county and the Deputy's, and in others, that I substantially improved the conditions for dentists and raised the age limit to 55. I suggest to the Deputy that he await the outcome of the present competition being held by the Local Appointments Commission to see if these posts can be filled. In regard to County Mayo, there are also dentists in the public service who are being employed on a sessional basis. I hope that situation will continue to improve.
Is it not a fact that the shortage of dentists is world-wide and that in Sweden for instance they have only one-third of the number of dentists they require?
Dental health is not as bad anywhere else as it is here.
(Interruptions.)