For the first time in its history, the Irish Dental Association (IDA) has this week served notice to the HSE of industrial action on behalf of members working in HSE public dental services.

98% of relevant members balloted supported a proposal for the IDA to take all necessary actions to resist and reverse any unilateral changes to the structure, governance or reporting relationships within the HSE dental service.

This is in response to planned restructuring within the HSE. The IDA remains committed to finding agreement on restructuring with the HSE, but dentists have voted to mandate their negotiators to organise protests in the event that dentistry is further sidelined in the HSE following the disastrous restructuring of dental services in 2004 and 2011.

Separately, 95% of IDA members balloted also favoured a proposal for the Association to support the public service pay dispute, which will see members join the planned national protest on Wednesday, October 14th.

Members employed within the HSE dental services will on this date participate in the planned health service work stoppage, in support of the claim for adequate public service pay and conditions improvements; in solidarity with other public health service workers.

The IDA has continuously highlighted the widespread erosion of funding and staffing in public dental services over the past 20 years. Last year, over 100,000 primary school children were denied vital screening appointments due to the ongoing shortage of public dental staff.

Irish Dental Association CEO, Fintan Hourihan, stated in an address to the HSE Dental Surgeon Group AGM this evening:

“The historic decision by members of our Association to support industrial action on two separate fronts represents a significant moment for our profession.

“It reflects a deep frustration with the ongoing challenges facing the public dental service, and especially given lessons learned from previous restructuring of the HSE in 2004 and 2011, when in both instances changes have left public service dentistry more isolated, starved of resources and increasingly understaffed.”

“The strong vote on pay talks reflects also a collective determination to secure pay rises which protect our members against cost of living increases and ultimately a better future for patients and for those who provide their care.”

“The decision to participate in the October 14th protest by public service unions will be even more significant if we are obliged subsequently to take protective action to prevent further unilateral changes being made to the HSE public dental service.”