Irish Dental Hygienist Association (IDHA )

Lobbying Organisation Irish Dental Hygienist Association

Date published 29 Aug, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details The Irish Dental Hygienist Association (IDHA) are Lobbying To Amend The Dental Act,1985 to remove: Section 54 (2) “Dental work carried out by an auxiliary dental worker in accordance with a scheme made by the Council under section 53 of the Ac to allow for Dental Hygienists to carry out direct access to provide preventative dental care to all members of the public.

Intended results Change of legislation to amend the Dental Act 1985, so Dental Hygienists can work to their full scope without the need for supervision of the dentist and carry out direct access to provide preventative dental care

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity The President of the IDHA, Sviatlana Anishchuk, The President- Elect of the IDHA, Emma Ryan, Wenda Thomas, IDHA dental council representative.

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All TDs emails sent thanking ministers for their contribution during the Dail debate on 23rd of June on improving access to dental care, reduce waiting times and make better use of the existing oral healthcare workforce. The IDHA asked for continued support

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (1)

The IDHA President, Sviatlana Anishchuk and, Wenda Thomas , IDHA Dental Council Representative, met with Pa Daily of Sien Fein at Leinster House to discuss improving access to dental healthcare

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor Minister of State (Department of Health)

Pádraig Rice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

David Cullinane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cathy Bennett TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Rose Conway-Walsh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Robert Troy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seamus Healy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Richard Boyd Barrett TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pa Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)