Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
515. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health what assistance is in place to assist parents who paid for orthodontic treatment with a registered orthodontist, but the practice closed; what insurances are in place to assist parents to recover their money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41021/23]
View answerSince this situation first came to my attention officials in the Department of Health have worked with the Dental Council and relevant stakeholders to ensure that everything possible was done to resolve the concerns of patients affected.
The normal course of events would be that orthodontic practices are wound down in an orderly fashion when necessary and for patients to continue to receive care in other practices as arranged by the dentist providing their care. Due to the circumstances of the dentist’s suspension this was not possible. To support patients to receive continuity of care, the Dental Council wrote to orthodontists located nearest to the practice to seek their co-operation to provide care to former patients of this practice.
The Orthodontic Society of Ireland (OSI) coordinated with its members and the appropriate bodies to seek ways to resolve this situation to ensure that ongoing care is restored as soon as possible.
The Department contacted the Dental Council regarding an update, and they have informed us that the Orthodontist’s suspension remains in place.
While I have every sympathy for the patients involved, consumer law is the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), and so issues relating to the refunding of fees are not within the remit of the Department of Health. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is the statutory body responsible for promoting compliance with, and enforcing, competition and consumer protection law in Ireland and are best placed to advise on any concerns regarding refunding of professional fees.
