asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the serious implications of the shortage of proper orthodontists and dentists in the health services within each health board area; if he will ensure that all vacancies in the dental areas are filled immediately; if he will make it mandatory on students attending dental colleges in this country to work for at least one year in the dental services under his Department after receiving their various qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Shortage of Orthodontists.
35.
There are vacancies for five highly qualified orthodontists in the health board service and every effort is being made to fill these posts at present. I am not aware of any serious shortage of dentists in the health boards. All vacancies for dentists are advertised and filled by the Local Appointments Commission as soon as possible after they arise. In many cases temporary staff are recruited pending the filling of the permanent posts to avoid curtailment of services for eligible persons. There is not great difficulty in filling permanent posts of dentists in the health board service at present and there is generally a number of applications for each post advertised. In the circumstances there is no need to make it mandatory for newly qualified dentists to serve for a given period in the health board service. In any event I would not consider it equitable to impose such an obligation on the dental profession alone while newly qualified persons in other professions were not obliged to give a similar period of service to the State.