Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2023
68. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to bring forward new professional regulations for the dental profession in line with the requests of their representative body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26719/23]
View answerThe Dental Council's Code of Practice for Dentists currently requires that all practising dentists should be able to provide evidence that they have undertaken sufficient continuing professional development and personal development to keep their clinical knowledge and skills up to date. Although this requirement is not set down in legislation, the obligation to maintain CPD does exist and can be raised as part of a fitness to practice claim against a practitioner. The custom to participate in CPD is well established in Ireland amongst the profession.
The Department is supportive of maintaining professional competency, to which CPD contributes, however it is essential that any legally mandatory model of CPD will be proportionate and pragmatic to impose the minimum restrictions on practice. In view of this, and as required by Directive (EU) 2018/958 which considers the proportionality of new regulations of professions, a rigorous proportionality assessment and public consultation must be carried out and the outcome of this assessment cannot be predetermined.
Dental practices are in the main small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Meeting the requirements of legally required CPD is a considerable burden for SME’s. This will also require consultation and a thorough impact assessment.
The introduction of a legally mandatory model of CPD will be a significant step. To ensure the implementation of this change is successful it will be important to take a pragmatic stepwise approach and put in place a framework of support to facilitate the dental profession in taking this step.
In the circumstances it is not possible to give a definitive timeline on introducing mandatory CPD for the dental profession.
