Bernard Allen
Question:386 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he intends to review the workings of the Dental Council in view of an issue (details supplied). [18385/03]
Written Answers. - Dental Service.
The Dentists Act 1985 established the Dental Council to register and control persons engaged in the practice of dentistry. Under the Act, the Dental Council shall also provide for other matters relating to the practice of dentistry including "the adequacy and suitability of postgraduate education and training." I have no plans to review the operation of the Dental Council in this regard. In accordance with the Act, the Dental Council established a register of dental specialists with a division of orthodontics in 1999. Under section 30(1) of the Act, only persons who have completed a recognised specialist training programme in orthodontics are entitled to be registered in this specialist register. The Dental Council has informed me that as neither person referred to by the Deputy had completed a recognised specialist training programme in orthodontics, their names were not admitted to the specialist register. Some 71 orthodontists are currently registered in the register of dental specialists. The Dental Council has further informed me that the persons concerned have applied to the High Court for judicial review of the Dental Council's decision.