In its pre-budget submission, the Irish Dental Association (IDA) has called for value added tax (VAT) to be removed from essential oral health products such as toothbrushes, interdental brushes, oral mouthwashes and floss. Tax relief for dental patients is currently provided through the MED 2 form. The IDA would like to see this tax relief … Continued

The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, TD officially opened the Faculty of Health Sciences Offices at Trinity College Dublin on 29 September. The Faculty of Health Sciences consists of the Schools of Dental Science, Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, and Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. These schools are spread across the city centre campus and … Continued

The Irish Dental Association has called for a ban on school vending machines to help promote children’s oral health. Dr Rosarii McCafferty, president of the Public Dental Surgeons Group, warned sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks purchased by young people from these machines are increasing tooth decay and obesity. ‘There is convincing evidence from both home … Continued

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said that a tender to secure additional dental services in Northern Ireland should dramatically reduce access problems for patients by the end of next year. Speaking during an Assembly debate on 30 September, the Minister said that the consultation process will be completed by the end of next week and, … Continued

Some breakfast cereals in Ireland contain higher levels of fat and sugar than the same product sold in other countries, a survey has revealed. According to the results of international research published in Consumer Choice magazine, cereals in Ireland contained ‘unacceptably’ high levels of sugar. The survey found Kellogg’s Coco Pops Coco Rocks contained almost … Continued

Members of IMPACT trade union employed by the HSE and HSE-funded agencies suspended their industrial action on Wednesday 24 September, pending the outcome of a ballot on a settlement proposal by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). The result of the ballot is expected in approximately three weeks’ time. Negotiations between IMPACT and the HSE concluded … Continued

The Competition Authority has welcomed the implementation of one of the main recommendations of its report on the dental profession. The Dental Council has now produced a new Code of Practice on Public Relations and Communications, which allows dentists to advertise their services to consumers with certain caveats, including that it be done in a … Continued