asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to reorganise the dental service in this country with a view to achieving greater emphasis on prevention.
Written Answers. - Dental Services.
29.
The Deputy will be aware that there is a pronounced emphasis on prevention in the public dental services at present. The fluoridation programme, the priority given to children's services and the importance given to dental hygiene in the activities of the Health Education Bureau are all indicative of this emphasis.
Other preventive measures being actively considered include the introduction of the grade of hygienist and the extension of the flouridation programme to areas which do not have piped water supplies. In addition, preventive measures in other countries are reviewed regularly to assess their suitability for Ireland. In these circumstances, I do not consider it necessary to reorganise the dental services solely with the objective of placing greater emphasis upon prevention.