As members may be aware, the British Government has decided that entry to Foundation Training (FT) schemes across the UK is to be confined to graduates from British dental schools. This means that graduates from Irish dental schools will effectively be denied the chance to take up positions in NHS practices which require completion of Foundation Training in the UK.

The IDA and the deans of the dental schools in Ireland have campaigned for the past few years to have an FT scheme introduced in Ireland which would enjoy recognition by the British authorities and enable Irish dental graduates access to NHS dental positions in the UK as has traditionally been the practice. In spite of putting together a detailed and costed submission, the Department of Health has thus far refused to support the introduction of an FT scheme here.

The immediate consequences are that dentists graduating from Cork and Dublin Dental Schools face unprecedented difficulty in securing positions this summer. The Association is determined to escalate its efforts to see the introduction of an FT scheme but in the meantime we wish to assist this year’s graduates as best we can by putting them in touch with dentists here in Ireland who may be able to offer some opportunities for work in their practice.

Therefore, we are asking members who would be interested in taking on 2014 graduates to get in contact with us and we can circulate your details to the dentists concerned. It would be helpful if you could give an indication of the hours / weeks you may be able to offer, terms and conditions you are prepared to offer, the type of practice you run and any other appropriate information.

Fintan Hourihan

CEO