Over 700 cases of Mouth, Head and Neck cancer will be diagnosed this year; Main risk factors of Mouth Cancer include Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet and over exposure to sunlight or radiation; However, oral cancer can affect anybody at any stage of their lives. Speaking on ‘The Whole Tooth’ podcast series David Hickey says: “With mouth cancer in particular, you have a small window of opportunity, which closes very fast. I would very much recommend regular checks”

Only half of all dental student places offered to school leavers from Ireland or EEA countries despite the shortage of dentists in Ireland

We urge Minister Donnelly and HSE CEO, Bernard Gloster, to immediately implement a recruitment strategy which would improve the current employment levels in the public dental service and help reduce waiting lists among public patients. Irish dental patients are suffering the consequences of the wilful neglect of our public dental service which has seen a 23% decline in staffing levels versus a 20 to 50% increase in all other areas of our health service such as nursing, admin and doctor staffing levels.

Yesterday's (22nd May 2024) debate in the Dail on the Private Members' motion on dentistry from the Social Democrats featured contributions from over 20 TDs from all political parties and groupings. We wish to thank Deputy Roisin Shortall and the Social Democrats for proposing the motion and the many other deputies who contributed to the debate.

The Oireachtas Health Committee covered a wide range of issues facing dental care in Ireland on May 1st 2024. IDA representatives, along with members of the Dental Council, spoke at length, highlighting a number of critical issues. The hearing was dominated by discussion on the lack of legislation to protect patients; the problems with the school screening service and the medical card scheme, and; the lack of a statutory competence assurance scheme for dentists, amongst others.

The Irish Dental Association Annual Conference hears only 50% of eligible schoolchildren were screened by dentists last year.

Engaging with members is a top priority for new President, Dr Rory Boyd, who took over as President of the Association from Dr Eamon Croke at the AGM which took place in the RCSI last Thursday.

The Irish Dental Association has today (18th April 2024) announced that Dr Rory Boyd has been appointed as its new President.

IDA members employed in the HSE and the Cork and Dublin dental schools have voted to accept the new public service pay agreement. The Association had recommended acceptance of the agreement.