asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that private dentists in the North-Western Health Board area have withdrawn their services from the fee per item scheme due to the low fees paid by the North-Western Health Board as compared with fees paid by the Department of Social Welfare for similar items of treatment; and the cost of granting the North-Western private dentists parity of fees with social welfare fees over a full year.
Written Answers. - Dental Services.
302.
I am aware that private dentists in County Donegal who augment the services provided by public dentists have withdrawn their services. The public dental officers are continuing to provide a service.
In an effort to solve the problem an offer to increase the private dentists' fees was made before their services were withdrawn. This offer provided for an increase in line with standard increases payable under the terms of the various national wage agreements.
The additional cost of conceding the social welfare rates to the Donegal private dentists over a full year would amount to approximately £15,000.
303.
asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time posts for dental surgeons and the number of occasions these posts were advertised by the Local Appointments Commission over the last two years; the number of applicants who applied for these posts on each occasion; and the number of successful candidates not already employed in other health boards areas who actually took up duty.
There are 216 full-time posts of dental surgeon under health boards. Vacancies arising among these posts were advertised on 15 occasions since the beginning of 1976.
There were 109 applicants for these competitions, including those who have applied for a competition, for which interviews are being held in February. Of the 36 permanent dental surgeons who have taken up duty in the same period, 19 were not working in the health board service.
304.
asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the present state of recruitment to the dental services in view of the fact that the Local Appointments Commission recently advertised 44 posts for dental surgeons to fill existing vacancies in various health boards while the Eastern, Southern, Western and North-Western Health Boards have also been advertising for temporary dental surgeons over the same period.
I am aware that there have been recruitment difficulties in the dental services but I would point out that the 44 posts recently advertised include 19 newly-created posts.
I would like to wait until the results of the most recent competitions advertised by the Local Appointments Commission are available before commenting further on the present state of recruitment. I understand that the interviews for those competitions are being held during February.
305.
asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the lack of success in filling posts in the dental services, he is satisfied that the present salary and staff structure in the dental services is adequate and satisfactory; and, if not, if he will urgently review the fees paid and the position in general.
I understand that there are claims before the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board for a review of grading structures and additional remuneration for dental officers and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on that matter.
In relation to the dental services generally, I have already indicated that I am anxious to get on with the implementation of a comprehensive review and improvement of the services. This review will inevitably deal with all grades of staff required.
306.
asked the Minister for Health if he will consider setting up a commission as soon as possible to investigate the reasons for the shortcomings in the dental services, in view of the fact that, as each month passes, more and more of the nation's school children and lower income groups are being denied free dental treatment which is their entitlement under the 1970 Health Act.
I do not consider it necessary to set up a commission to investigate the reasons for shortcomings in the dental services. The reasons for these shortcomings, which are of long standing, are well established and have been the subject of discussion, in the past, between my Department and representatives of the dental profession. I recognise that there is a need to remedy these deficiencies and I intend to initiate the necessary action for this purpose.
307.
asked the Minister for Health when the new Chief Dental Officer post will be advertised; and how long it will be before he takes up duty and be in a position to advise on how best to resolve the present crisis.
The post will be advertised by the Civil Service Commissioners on Wednesday, 8 February 1978. While the date on which a candidate will take up duty will be dependent on a number of factors, it is my intention to see to it that the successful candidate takes up duty at the earliest possible date.