Dental Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 April 2023

Wednesday, 19 April 2023

Questions (122, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 131)

Colm Burke

Question:

122. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that the public dental service is adequately staffed and resourced, in view of recommendations set out in a report (details supplied) which advises that based on the current population, 450 whole-time equivalent dental posts are needed in the HSE public dental service in order to address the difficulties apparent in the service, and to enable the service deliver on its stated objectives of preventing dental health difficulties as well as caring for and treating children and other vulnerable groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18371/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

124. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration would be given to establishing a management/leadership group under the auspices of his Department, comprised of representatives of the relevant Departments of State, statutory agencies and dental educational institutions, for the purposes of implementing Smile Agus Sláinte 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18373/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

125. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health what action his Department is taking to ensure that a modern system of clinical surveillance, as contained in Smile Agus Sláinte 2019, is put in place to ensure that same continues to be effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18374/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

126. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will support an information campaign to raise awareness of the new service arrangements, as contained in Smile Agus Sláinte 2019, for the purposes of informing parents of these new services when they are in place, and in supporting the promotion of fluoride toothpaste in line with current WHO guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

127. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will actively engage with dental practitioners and their representative bodies to promote appropriate toothpaste use, in line with WHO evidence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18376/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

128. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department will engage with the appropriate bodies to actively advance the introduction of preventative packages for children and adults to support EU and Irish regulations which require the phase-down of amalgam fillings, that such packages would be delivered by private dental practices subject to the appropriate contracts being put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18377/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

131. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the appropriate agencies/bodies to facilitate identification of vulnerable groups for the purposes of enabling them to access periodontal treatment, and further as a means of preventing early death and increased morbidity, as well as leading to a substantial improvement in health outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18380/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 124 to 128, inclusive, and 131 together.

The National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, sets out a new model of oral healthcare delivery, moving from episodic care to a life course approach. The policy will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.

The Policy delivery in the HSE will have three strategic strands:

• Health and oral health promotion and protection programmes;

• Oral healthcare service provision;

• Evaluation of oral health in the population (clinical surveillance programme).

There will be a particular focus on improved oral healthcare services for all vulnerable groups, including people in nursing and residential homes. Oral health surveillance will be an adjunct to, and, where possible, part of, routine visits to local dentists at key targeted ages for the whole population. The development of appropriate advice on toothpaste use and progress on preventive packages and outlining of measures to support the phase-down of amalgam are among the priority actions of the Policy.

The HSE will drive reform in the delivery of oral healthcare services, including developing a national oral health evaluation programme and any associated information campaigns that may be required.

My Department is working with the HSE to ensure the establishment of focused structures to drive implementation of the Policy, including an oversight structure. My Department is also developing a cross-Governmental oversight structure which will produce the overall policy implementation plan and ensure that involved Departments and agencies are accountable for their progress under the plan.

I recognise that the HSE Public Dental Service needs to be staffed appropriately in order to provide the care it is tasked to provide. The Department will support and resource the HSE to gradually reorient to provide the functions that the National Oral Health Policy ascribes to the HSE Public Dental Service, as implementation of the National Oral Health Policy proceeds over its eight-year implementation period.