asked the Minister for Health the number of dental surgeons at present employed in the school dental service (a) in Dublin city and (b) the rest of the country.
86.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Dental Service.
85.
asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the present school dental health programme; and, if not, what further measures he proposes to take in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together.
There are 27 whole-time dentists employed by Dublin Health Authority and 74 by other health authorities. Part-time dentists are also employed on a sessional basis. These would be the equivalent of 3 whole-time officers in Dublin and 17 in all other areas.
I do not consider the present school dental health service is satisfactory. There is a very high incidence of dental decay and the number of public dental officers is limited. I accept that the services of dentists in private practice will have to be availed of on a widespread basis and my Department will shortly arrange discussions about this with the Irish Dental Association.
Treatment of itself will never solve our problem. We hope that fluoridation of piped water supplies, which is being pressed ahead as fast as possible, will make a significant contribution to the reduction of dental caries, and other methods of fluoride application are also under examination. In particular a fluoride mouth rinse for school children is being tried in a number of health authority areas. Depending on the outcome of the scheme, it may be extended to all areas which will not have a fluoridated water supply.
Will the Minister give further consideration to the idea he had about asking newly-qualified dentists to give their first year to the dental health service?
There is another question on the subject. It will arise later.