Dental Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 April 2023

Wednesday, 19 April 2023

Questions (121)

Colm Burke

Question:

121. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to reviewing the current process for non-EEA dentists to register to practice as dentists in Ireland; if consideration would be given to amendments to modernise and make the process more efficient, particularly regarding the curriculum for these examinations, the frequency with which they are held and the feedback given to candidates, in particular to candidates who fail to meet the required standards in examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18370/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Dentists Act 1985 establishes the Dental Council as the regulatory body for the dental profession and sets out the routes to registration for all dentists who wish to practice in Ireland. The Dental Council advises that the examination it sets for dentists coming from outside the EEA represents the standard for safe practice in Ireland and is a key measure in the protection of the public. My Department has no role in administering Dental Council examinations or in setting the curriculum. The Dental Council advises that the standard of the examination is benchmarked directly to the standard of final year dentistry exams in Ireland and is already looking at the potential to increase capacity across the examination system.