Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
264. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health what communications his Department has had with an organisation (details supplied) to date regarding reform of the Dental Act 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40833/23]
View answerWhile I am aware that the Dentists Act 1985 needs to be updated to align with other healthcare profession regulatory legislation, the Act was amended by the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Act 2020, which was signed into law in October 2020.
In the context of the wider need to update dental legislation, the Department of Health is committed to reviewing the Dentists Act 1985. The protection of the public and ensuring high oral healthcare standards will continue to be the central focus of this work. The review and updating of the legislation also, necessarily, is directly related to the wider implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which envisages a fundamental reform of oral health services. As such, any new legislation will also be informed by this work. Additional resources have been allocated to commence this work to further strengthen the regulation of dentists in Ireland. The Department is currently undertaking preparatory scoping and planning work to support the review. As part of this preparatory scoping work, the Department is considering the necessary timelines required to deliver a robust, evidence based modern regulatory framework with due consideration to the policy alignment referenced above.
The Department has met with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) in order to discuss a wide range of issues including legislative reform. The Department will be engaging closely with the lDA as part of our work to reform The Dentists Act.
