Vol. 406 No. 3
238 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position in relation to discussions between his Department and the Irish Dental Council on the creation of a dental auxiliary in the form of a denturist; if he will outline his views and the views of the Dental Council on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In November 1989, I requested the Dental Council to undertake an objective examination of the question of establishing denturists as auxiliary dental workers under the Dentists Act, 1985. In October 1990, the Dental Council submitted their views on this matter. In brief, the Dental Council suggested, that in addition to existing arrangements there were two options i.e., (i) denturists might be established as auxiliaries entitled to engage in independent private practice; or (ii) denturists might be established as auxiliaries with a more limited role, working under the supervision of a dentist.
The report of the Dental Council is being considered and I will be communicating my views to it in the very near future. In my view there should be a less restrictive approach to practice by denturists.
The primary initiative in this matter lies at present with the Dental Council. Under the Dentists Act, the council may, subject to ministerial consent, devise schemes for establishing classes of auxiliary dental workers. Such a scheme would, inter alia, provide for the definition of necessary training and qualifications.
