IDA submits report to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children
by Guy Hiscott
As reported on its website, the IDA has made a submission to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children, which is examining primary medical care in the community.
The IDA submission raises a number of issues of relevance to dentistry in Ireland. For example, investment in dental practice facilities derives solely from funds generated by dentists, with no state funding being made available.
The IDA also highlights the shortage of dentists at all levels, and the fact that the number of training places for dentists has remained static.
The major difficulties involved in the administration of the DTSS and the delay in implementing long overdue reforms of publicly funded dental services because of a belief that such discussions would contravene the Competition Act 2002 are also explained.
The importance of maintaining tax relief for patients attending for dental treatment and the need for a properly resourced Public Dental Service to provide dental care to children, adolescents, and patients with special needs also feature.
In addition, the Association’s support for regulation of the profession and for reforms that promote the highest standards of professional care and treatment is mentioned.
The IDA’s submission reiterates that dentistry in Ireland should be led by best practice and evidence-based principles, and that these principles must not be compromised by economic pressures, and makes a number of recommendations to deal with the issues raised.
Copies of the submission are available on request from the IDA.
