The Dental Council said it was aware of several practices in which unregistered dentists are working. However, a spokesman said it “does not have sufficient powers to protect the public from unregistered dentists”. “Because of the inability to inspect registrations, the Dental Council was unable to act in the eight other cases,” he said. Since 2008, the council has called for a revised Dentists Act, highlighting “significant gaps” in the legislation, particularly its inability to regulate or inspect dental practices. The spokeswoman said it is reviewing and updating the Dentists Act as part of broader reforms regarding oral health.

Source: The Irish Times February 23, 2026 16:02 UTC