The intake of dental students for 2023/24 at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) included 48 students, 16 of whom (36%) were from non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Similarly, University College Cork (UCC) had 53 dental students, with 25 (47%) being non-EEA. According to a 2024 survey by the Irish Dental Association, 63% of Irish dentists reported difficulty in recruiting associate dentists. Additionally, the HSE Public Dental Service (PDS) has experienced a 23% reduction in its dental workforce compared to 2009.
Dr. Rory Boyd, President of the Irish Dental Association (IDA), expressed concerns about the unsustainability of the current model for producing dental graduates, emphasizing the negative impact on patient care due to the shortage of dentists. He called for greater government investment in dental schools to increase the number of Irish and EEA graduates to meet patient demand.
The IDA is urging the government to properly fund dental schools and reduce the intake of non-EEA students, who currently form a significant portion of dental students at both UCC and TCD. Drawing on a similar proposal in Australia, the IDA suggests capping non-EEA student intake at 20% next year and reducing this to 10% over the next three years. Non-EEA students, who pay over €45,000 annually, help subsidize Irish dental students due to chronic underfunding in Irish dental education. However, these international students typically return to their home countries post-graduation, limiting the number of dentists who stay in Ireland.
The IDA has repeatedly highlighted the shortage of dentists in both the public and private sectors in Ireland. The PDS now has 74 fewer dentists compared to 2009, while other HSE roles, such as nurses and consultants, have seen staff increases of 20-52%. Additionally, 63% of IDA members reported struggling to recruit dentists in the last year, leading to long waiting lists and reduced patient access to dental care.
Underfunding in Ireland's dental schools is a major concern for the IDA. Despite an announcement by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in 2023 regarding additional dental student places, no funding has been provided to implement these plans. Furthermore, the planned new dental school at UCC, requiring a €55 million investment, has been shelved. To address the shortage of dentists, the IDA estimates that an additional €20 million in funding is required for UCC and TCD dental schools.
Commenting on the issue, Dr. Rory Boyd reiterated the need for government action, highlighting the difficulties faced by Irish students, particularly those who achieve the maximum Leaving Certificate points (625), but still face challenges securing a place in dentistry courses. He stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the funding model to ensure Ireland trains and retains sufficient dental graduates to meet the country's growing needs.