Vol. 555 No. 2
331 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children his Department's policy regarding parental access to children being treated by a dentist under the public dental service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18387/02]
The provision of dental services to eligible children is the statutory responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.
The Dental Council is the body with statutory responsibility for promoting high standards of professional conduct among dentists. The advice of the Dental Council to members on this issue is that a third party must be present in the dental surgery at all times when treatment is being carried out. Equally it recognises the right of a parent to be present while a child is being treated. The Dental Council is mindful that dental surgeries are not always designed to accommodate additional observers and contain hazardous materials and substances potentially dangerous to onlookers. In addition it is widely recognised in clinical dentistry that patient management may be less than ideal when a person other than the clinician is influencing patient behaviour. In these circumstances, unless there is a common understanding and a trusting relationship between the clinician and the parent, difficulties will be encountered in completing treatment satisfactorily.
Having regard to these factors health boards have adopted policies that give priority to the rights of parents in these situations but give due regard to other factors that might impinge on the quality of care to children.
Children First – National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children are over-arching national guidelines that apply to all individuals and agencies who have contact with children. Statutory and voluntary-community organisations working with children should adapt these national guidelines to make them as meaningful and effective as possible for their staff and volunteers.
