Irish Joint Committee on Health Report on Dental Services Crisis (data.oireachtas.ie)

• National oral health policy 'Smile agus Sláinte' not implemented after 7 years
• Medical card dentist numbers halved; child screening rates below 50%
• 19 recommendations including new legislation and enhanced regulatory powers

"The Joint Committee on Health published a report detailing the crisis in public dental services and recommending urgent implementation of the 2019 national oral health policy 'Smile agus Sláinte'. Key findings include a halving of contracted dentists in the medical card scheme over a decade, low child screening rates, and outdated legislation from 1985. Recommendations cover workforce planning, contract reform, expanded roles for hygienists, and a new dental school at UCC. The report also calls for replacing the Dental Act 1985 within six months and for HSE to address waiting lists and special care services."