01/02/2026
Yesterday, the Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill suggested placing newly qualified dentists into the public system to see children. 🦷
This is not a real solution.
Children’s general dental care is not a specialist service, and it should not be separated from senior general practice. Oral health is part of overall health, and the dental problems we see in children don’t disappear at adulthood.
Back in 2000–2001, Ireland piloted a vocational training scheme similar to the UK, where newly qualified dentists worked in general practice with experienced mentors. I went through this system myself, and it worked.
A dental degree is like a driving licence, you’re qualified, but real skill and judgement come with time, support, and mentorship.
Children deserve continuity of care with experienced clinicians, not short-term fixes that avoid the real issue. 👶🦷