PRESIDENT’S NEWS
Dr Clodagh McAllister IDA President
Raising the profile of dentistry As the profession deals with a recruitment crisis, and with no progress on reform of the DTSS, the IDA is embarking on a major communications campaign to bring dentistry to the forefront of healthcare in Ireland. As many of you will be all too aware, dental practices in Ireland are currently experiencing significant staff shortages, with difficulties in recruitment across the whole dental team, but particularly among dentists and dental hygienists. The IDA carried out a survey of members in September to try to get a sense of the scale and impact of this crisis. Over half of the members who responded said that their practice had tried to recruit dentists during the past 12 months, but only 50% of these had found a suitable candidate. You can read more about the results of this survey in our Members’ News section in this edition. The survey identified delays in registration of dentists as a major stumbling block to recruitment; waiting times of up to six months are common. An IDA delegation will meet with Dental Council representatives shortly to discuss this and try to find a solution. The small number of training places for nurses and hygienists has also been identified as a significant issue. Fewer than 20 dental hygienists graduate each year from the Dublin and Cork Dental Schools combined, and there is a clear need for more places to be made available. The fact that dentists and dental hygienists are not currently included on the critical skills occupations list for the purposes of obtaining a critical skills work permit is also creating difficulties for dentists attempting to recruit staff from outside Ireland. The IDA intends to make a submission on this issue in the coming months. A multi-agency approach, involving Government departments, higher education institutions and regulatory bodies is needed to resolve this crisis, and the IDA will be to the forefront in working towards a solution.
DTSS/medical card scheme The number of dental practices withdrawing from the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) continues to grow. In some parts of the country there are now no dental practices operating the Scheme, with obvious consequences for vulnerable patients in need of dental care. Questions have been asked in the Dáil and in the media, as public awareness grows of this crisis.
The IDA has long argued that the DTSS is not fit for purpose, and that only a new contract can resolve long-held difficulties and enable dentists to offer appropriate care to those who need it. Unfortunately, despite assurances from the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, that this issue is a priority, initial interactions with the Department of Health have been far from satisfactory and a framework for discussions has not yet been agreed. Central to these discussions is an agreement to afford the IDA the same protections in any negotiations that are in place for our medical colleagues. The IDA submitted a framework document similar to that negotiated with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), but this has not been accepted by the Department. The system is falling apart, and unfortunately we fear that the crisis will get worse before it gets better.
Getting the message out The IDA has appointed strategic communications agency 360 as our new communications advisors. In the coming weeks and months, we will be embarking on an ambitious campaign to raise the profile of dentistry and oral health, and place the Irish Dental Association, and the dental profession, at the centre of discussions about healthcare in Ireland. We will be asking members to get involved, and to act as advocates for the profession and for our patients. You, the members, will be vital to the success of this campaign, and I hope you will consider getting involved.
Colgate Caring Dentist Awards 2021 We are delighted that, subject to guidelines, the Colgate Caring Dentist Awards will once again take place this year. This year, we have received almost 1,000 entries, and our distinguished judging panel has begun the difficult task of choosing which dentists and dental teams will be this year’s finalists. These Awards pay tribute to the exceptional work that goes on every day in dental practices all around the country. The past 18 months have been extraordinarily difficult for everyone, and we look forward to finally being able to gather to celebrate Irish dental professionals. The awards will take place on Saturday, November 20, at the InterContinental Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, and I look forward to seeing you there. Journal of the Irish Dental Association | Oct/Nov 2021: Vol 67 (5) 235
