In accordance with the Dentists Act 1985, a dental hygienist can work to the treatment plan outlined by a dentist, who first examines the patient. Dental hygienists provide preventive care to people of all ages, including children, and within their current scope of practice can help to alleviate waiting lists.
The National Oral Health Policy, which was published in 2019, supports a triage system which would allow a dental hygienist to assess the patient initially and considers the value of a more extended scope of practice. Such a system would further improve access for the public to preventive care and service providers such as the HSE could then incorporate the extended scope of practice for dental hygienists into their services.
New legislation to replace the Dentists Act 1985 is at the early stages of preparation in my Department. Work has been undertaken in formulating the policy to underpin it. It includes the considerations outlined within the National Oral Health Policy.