I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 114, inclusive, and 129 together.
The National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, sets out a new model of oral healthcare delivery. This policy focuses on a primary oral healthcare approach that will enable greater access to care by examining the training, roles and regulation of dental health professionals. There will be a particular focus on improved oral healthcare services for all vulnerable groups, including people in nursing and residential homes
Undergraduate dental education will need to be realigned with the Policy by placing primary oral healthcare at its centre. The primary oral healthcare approach represents a significant change which requires an education system, both at undergraduate and graduate level, to ensure that the profession can respond to the oral healthcare needs of the whole population. In addition, ensuring that a sufficient breadth of skills is maintained in the profession will enable it to be flexible and responsive as the population’s oral health needs change
In line with the Sláintecare implementation plan and the primary oral healthcare approach, a focused programme, led by the Dental Council, will be required in order to reassess auxiliary dental workers’ scope of practice. This programme will consider enabling the public to have direct access to additional auxiliary dental workers, where possible. Currently, once provision of oral healthcare services directly to a patient is involved, oral healthcare professionals generally fall into the compulsory registration category. Any potential risks to the public of implementing a triage system have to be considered and regulated accordingly. Nonetheless, such a system would ensure improved access for the public overall.
