asked the Minister for Health the population per dentist in this country, distinguishing between dentists available for public work and those in private practice; and how these figures compare with the recommendations of international bodies such as the World Health Organisation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Population Per Dentist.
6.
This country has at present a total of 819 dentists on the dental register. This gives approximately an overall average of one dentist for 3,650 of the general population. The corresponding ratio for the United Kingdom is about the same.
An expert committee of the World Health Organisation has commented that some countries have achieved a ratio of one dentist to 2,000 inhabitants. However the committee indicated that the desirable ratio for any country would be determinable by local circumstances, for example, incidence of disease and effective preventive measures. As the Deputy is aware about half the population of this country receives water which has been fluoridated, which is regarded by the World Health Organisation and other competent authorities as the most effective preventive measure.
A total of 155 public dental officers are employed wholetime by health boards and part-time dentists provide the equivalent of the services of another 20 wholetime dentists. These dentists provide services mainly for school children and represent an average of one wholetime dentist per 3,000 children in this category. This ratio does not take account of other eligible persons, mainly adults with full eligibility for whom some limited dental services are also provided.