asked the Minister for Health what immediate steps he proposes to take to fill the need for more public dentists; if he will consult with local authorities on this matter where holders of medical cards cannot have dental attention because of shortage of dentists; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental Services.
73.
At the beginning of this year, I sanctioned improved conditions of service for dental officers in the public service. Under the improved conditions, serving and newlyrecruited dentists were granted credit in their incremental scale for previous satisfactory professional experience in the practice of dentistry. The upper age limit for the office of dental surgeon was raised from 40 years to 55 years, and dental surgeons were also allowed, at the discretion of the Health Authorities, to work two extra sessions per week outside normal working hours, for which they were paid extra remuneration.
As a result of these improvements in conditions of service, the number of candidates applying this year for posts of dental surgeon has increased very considerably. From a competition held in June last 24 dental surgeons were recommended for permanent wholetime posts in the public services and I hope that the majority of the posts which are still vacant will be filled from a competition which is being held during the current month.
In those areas where the services were most unsatisfactory, health authorities were specially asked to employ private dentists for regular sessions to reduce waiting lists and improve the existing service. The number of dentists employed in this way has increased during the past year and this has effected an improvement in the areas in which most difficulty has been experienced in filling permanent posts. I am, of course, willing to sanction any further proposals of this kind which health authorities may make to me and I am also examining the extent to which we can use the services of dentists in private practice on a more extensive basis.
It will, however, for the present at any rate, be necessary to continue to provide dental services on a priority basis. My Department, health authorities, and the dental profession are agreed that the services for children should be the first priority. The second priority classes are the expectant and nursing mothers amongst medical card holders.
The very high incidence of dental decay will only be solved, in the long run, by prevention and I am continuing to urge health authorities to complete their programmes for the fluoridation of water supplies at the earliest possible date.
In areas which will not be served by a fluoridated water supply we are considering the best method of introducing a fluoride mouth rinsing scheme for school-children and pilot schemes are already operating in a number of areas throughout the country.
The Minister knows that it will have no effect whatsoever.
The Deputy tried to do a lot of destruction in that direction.
Would the Minister agree that workers keeping a family should also get some priority in the supply of dentures? There is considerable loss of time from employment because of the fact that they are not getting dentures or attention to which they are entitled.
There is some truth in that. There is room for improvement. The teeth are becoming worse than ever.
Would the Minister consider trying to make some arrangement with private dentists or allowing local authorities to do so?
This has been done already.
Only on a small scale. The Department have been chary about it.
I will bring it to the Minister's notice.