Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2023
338. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the reason good behaviour is a requirement for children to access dental treatment in the Dublin Dental University Hospital to avail of treatment by undergraduate dentists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14404/23]
View answer339. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the reason paediatric dentistry referrals are not being accepted by the Dublin Dental University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14405/23]
View answer340. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health when he expects the Dublin Dental University Hospital to reopen paediatric services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14406/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 338 to 340, inclusive, together.
The Dublin Dental University Hospital (DDUH) is primarily an educational institution and accepts patients who are suitable to have dental care provided by undergraduate (primary care) and postgraduate students (secondary care) under direct supervision. Patients are accepted to match the educational needs of the Hospital. Therefore, while referrals have not been suspended, the volume of referrals accepted does vary throughout the year according to the educational calendar.
The DDUH does not provide oral healthcare services to the wider community. Patients for primary care are frequently self-referred and do not require a referral from their dental practitioner. When the DDUH receives a self-referral for primary care, the patient is assessed to determine if they are suitable for treatment provision in a teaching setting. The nature of the teaching environment in the DDUH means that clinics are held in an open plan setting containing multiple chairs, at each of which a dental student is providing care, under direct supervision, to a patient. Therefore, all patients must be able to sit in a chair and be able to participate in their treatment.
The DDUH does accept a very limited number referrals from general dental practitioners and the HSE throughout the country for paediatric patients who may require secondary and tertiary care. However, this does not include the provision of care under general anaesthetic or specialist led services. Patients for secondary and tertiary care must be referred by their own general dental practitioners.
Once a care plan is agreed this will be provided by the students and children are expected to attend appointments offered and to comply with home care maintenance. When the patient’s treatment plan is complete, the patient is discharged from DDUH services back to their own community dentist or general dental practitioner.
