Sir, – Some of the public comment that the recent shortage of dentists in practice is due to the low numbers graduating in Ireland is misplaced.
Over the last 15 years, Ireland has never produced the number of dentists it requires for its population. It relies on mainly EU qualified dentists to fill the need. Every year, the Dental Council registers two non-Irish graduates for every one Irish graduate.
There are over 3,300 dentists registered to practice in Ireland. This is the highest it has ever been. The Dental Council also registers over 200 new dentists every year, which is also as high as it has ever been. About 90 dentists graduate in Ireland each year and about 70 register with the Dental Council. It would make little difference if they all registered.
The short-term solution to the manpower shortage must lie within the profession and not in education.
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The solution to the unmet patient needs lies in ensuring national oral health schemes are working.
Dental education in Ireland is now at maximum capacity. It is expensive to deliver and there are funding issues that require resolution, but there are no short-term options to safely increase the numbers in education.
The real question is to what degree does Ireland wish to be entirely self-sufficient in meeting its dental healthcare needs. The National Oral Health Policy provides a focal point through which many these important questions can be raised and hopefully resolved by stakeholders. – Yours, etc,
DAVID O’FLYNN,
Registrar,
Dental Council,
Dublin 2.