Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013
655. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 237 of 2 May, 2013 regarding the role of the chief dental officer, if the position has been recently filled; if the position was publicly advertised; the remit and salary of the role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25450/13]
View answerThe Department of Health has been unable to fill the post of Chief Dental Officer on a full time basis due to the moratorium on recruitment. Accordingly, it was agreed with the HSE that the HSE National Oral Health Lead would be released to the Department for two days each week to undertake the functions of Chief Dental Officer, with effect from 20 May 2013. The arrangement will be reviewed after 3 years.
There are a number of important issues relating to oral health services which highlight the need for the Department to have access to the skills, experience and expertise of a dental professional. These include:
- The need to review certain aspects of oral health policy
- The forthcoming review of the Dental Act 1985, which will identify the regulatory and other reforms required in the dental health professions
- International developments in relation to oral health e.g. pressure to reduce the use of mercury in dental amalgams
- The need to integrate oral health services more closely with primary care services and health promotion.
