PRESIDENT’S NEWS

Dr Clodagh McAllister

IDA President

Positive developments

In-person meetings have recommenced, and there is a Ministerial pledge to intervene with the DTSS crisis.

Our first in-person Practice Management Seminar since restrictions were lifted was held at the end of March, and was a great success. It was fantastic to see so many colleagues gathered to hear our excellent speakers, who took a wideranging look at the state of dentistry in Ireland, now and in the future. Topics included a presentation from Matheson on the various business models available to dentists, which was of particular interest in light of Revenue’s proposal to levy VAT on fees paid by associates to principals. The Seminar also featured a panel discussion chaired by former RTÉ Industry and Employment Correspondent Ingrid Miley on ‘Dentistry 2022: New challenges, new priorities, new ways of working’, which discussed issues from recruitment to social media. The business of dentistry is changing, and it is incumbent on all of us to inform ourselves and meet the challenges to come. I am also looking forward very much to returning to Galway in May for our Annual Conference. A truly outstanding line-up of speakers will give us the benefit of their expertise, and we will once again host our trade show, where the best of the dental industry will be on display. Perhaps most importantly, however, after the last two years, it will be a fantastic opportunity to meet old and new friends, and to socialise together once again. We hope for a great turnout this year, so be sure to register for ‘Re-connect’.

Ongoing issues

The latest planned meeting with Revenue on the VAT issue unfortunately had to be cancelled due to Covid-19; however, we hope to reschedule it soon and resume discussions on this very important issue. It is too soon to say whether progress can be achieved but at a minimum it is heartening to see a willingness on Revenue’s part to engage in discussions with the Association, and we hope this will lead to a solution that is good for dentists and their patients. In relation to the ongoing crisis in the DTSS, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, recently announced in the Dáil that he has given approval for “significant fee increases” to contracted dentists across a number of items, including dental examinations and fillings. The Minister said he had also approved the reintroduction of scale and polish for medical card patients on the DTSS. The IDA has informed the Department of Health that any funds for fee increases should apply to bridging the gap between current fees and the costs incurred by dentists in providing these existing treatments, rather than also being used to fund the restoration of treatments (such as scale and polish) at fee levels well below the costs incurred by dentists in providing these treatments. The Association’s position remains that the problems with the medical card scheme will only be solved by its replacement with an entirely new model of care compatible with independent dental practice. The Minister says that the proposed measures will amount to an increase of ¤26 million over 2021 expenditure on the Scheme, albeit the spend in 2021 was less than half of that in 2009. He also stated that work on a substantive review of the DTSS contract will commence at the end of Q2, 2022. The IDA is, as ever, more than willing to engage with the Department and the HSE, to contribute to the development of a new and better scheme under an independent chair and with agreed terms of engagement.

Goodbye and thank you

As this is my last message as IDA President, I would like to take this opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed the role, and to thank the team at the IDA for their support during the year. Working with them was one of the high points of my Presidency and I couldn’t have done it without them. It has been a fascinating year, and I enjoyed meeting and engaging in discussions with stakeholders from a range of backgrounds, from my fellow dentists, to officials from Revenue and the Department of Health, and indeed to working with Think Media. Another high point was the opportunity to travel to Belfast to meet colleagues from the British Dental Association Northern Ireland (BDA NI). We share a centenary with the BDA NI next year, and we hope that the two organisations will collaborate to celebrate this historic occasion. I also want to thank the IDA’s Management Committee and Council, and all those who serve on committees within the Association. I would strongly encourage members to get involved by joining a committee. It is your chance to contribute to your Association, and is also very personally fulfilling. Finally, I extend my very best wishes to Dr Caroline Robins as she takes up the role of President and wish her all the best for the year to come.

As this Journal went to press, we were truly saddened to learn of the untimely passing of Fionnuala O’Brien, who was a dedicated member of staff at IDA House, in particular as Journal Co-ordinator, for many years. Our heartfelt condolences go to her family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.