Annual Report
Table
of Contents
Key Messages
Year in Numbers
Advocacy & Representations
IDA Committees
President Report CEO Report
Events & CPD Advocacy & PR IDA Membership
2025 Highlights IDA Political Priorities & Influence Media Coverage Meeting with Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
IDA Committees GP Committee HSE Committee International Affairs JIDA Committee Quality & Patient Safety
IDA Membership
Education, CPD & Events
Financial Summary
Membership statistics Why are you a Member?
Education, CPD & Events CPD Summary Annual Conference Colgate Caring Dentist Awards 2025 HSE Dental Surgeons Seminar CPD Forum
Financial Statements Total Income Total Expenditure
IDA Governance
2025 Highlights IDA Organogram Management Committee Subcommittees Head Office IDA Council
Messages
Key
President
Report
Over the past year, the Irish Dental Association has moved decisively from advocating connection as an ideal to embedding it as a structural reality across our profession. The challenges we identified previously, professional isolation, workforce pressures, and fragmentation, remain significant. However, our collective response has evolved. We are no longer reacting as individuals. We increasingly function as a coordinated and unified profession.
Read full article
CEO
Report
The past year was bookmarked by two important developments which serve to illustrate a period of rapid change reflecting the hard work of the Association in recent years. The publication of the Programme for Government in early 2025 featured an unprecedented six specific commitments to oral health reforms by the newly formed Government.
Commitments were made to publish the implementation plan for the 2019 Smile agus Slaintecare oral health policy, to address the crisis in the school dental service, to address the chronic waiting lists in orthodontic care, to publish new dental legislation, to recognise a greater number of dental specialties and to legislate for a long overdue system of professional competence for dentists.
Read full article
Year
in Numbers
Events
& CPD
15
15
19
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Number of Meetings
Number of Webinars
Number of Courses
246
906
208
Total Attendees
Total Attendees
Total Attendees
Title
Title
Title
32.5
21
196.5
Write a brief description here
Write a brief description here
Write a brief description here
Hands-on
Regional
Webinars
Courses
Meetings
Points of CPD delivered
Points of CPD delivered
Points of CPD delivered
Created in excess of opportunities for public to hear or read about the Irish Dental Association
66.2
Advocacy
& PR
162
331
3,635
38
Followers
400,000 content views
Parliamentary Questions
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Pieces of coverage
271
€1.97
Members Newsletters
6,683
Followers
Mentions in the Oireachtas
150,000 views
PR value of coverage secured
Committee hearings, Topical debates, Oral Parliamentary Questions etc
17
Title
Title
Title
Title
12
2,819
Editions of the Journal of IDA
Write a brief description here
Write a brief description here
Write a brief description here
Write a brief description here
PR
Comms
Public
Social
Followers
65,000 impressions
Oireachtas members speaking on dental care
Media
Print/Digital
Affairs
Media
Politicians spoke out
on national and local media on issues we raised
and oral health
IDA
Membership
1700
Members Nationwide
Membership
€ / year
2000
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Savings
Through exclusive professional indemnity arrangements
Individual Member savings
across services
Title
Write a brief description here
IDA Members savings in 2025
Advocacy
& Representation
2025
Highlights
IDA
Political Priorities & Influence
Meeting with Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister for Health)
Dáil Debate on Dental School Places
Association met Health Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Pádraig Rice
Meeting with Department of Social Protection officials regarding DTBS (PRSI) fees review
Jul
Aug
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
JUN
MAY
APR
MAR
FEB
JAN
Towards the Future of Sustainable General Dental Practice published and politicians briefed
Dáil Debate on Dental Treatment Services
Meeting with senior HSE officials regarding staffing crisis in public dental service
Media
Coverage
Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Meeting with
At the end of March, the Association met with the new Minister for Health, Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, for a constructive discussion on the future of oral healthcare. The Minister signalled her intent to publish a three-year implementation plan for Smile agus Sláinte and expressed strong commitment to improving services for children and vulnerable groups after years of limited progress.
Read More
IDA
Committees
GP
Committee
Promoting the interests of General Practitioners (GPs) and overall well-being of Ireland’s population through advocating and championing for the delivery of fair equitable and sustainable oral healthcare for all.
Achievements
Meetings
Key Outputs
HSE
Committee
The committee works to improve the Oral Health of the population by advocating for better Public Dental Services and represents the interests of IDA members employed in the Public Dental Service at both local and national levels.
Achievements
Meetings
Key Outputs
6 Committee Meetings in 2025
HSE Seminar Kilkenny (2 days) in light of HSE budget constraints
International
Affairs
The Council of European Dentists is dedicated to shaping policy and strategy in order to further the interests of the dental profession within the European Union.
Meetings
Achievements
International
Affairs
The FDI World Dental Federation’s core purpose is to be the independent global voice of dentistry, promoting oral health, supporting dental professionals, and advancing the science, practice, and ethics of dentistry.
Meetings
Achievements
JIDA
Committee
The Journal of the Irish Dental Association and JIDA Science aim to inform and support dentists by publishing professional news, updates, developments in dental science and clinical professional practice, and the advocacy work of the Irish Dental Association.
Achievements
Meetings
Key Outputs
Quality
& Patient Safety
Support the Irish Dental Association and its members in matters relating to patient safety, clinical governance and regulatory issues relevant to dental practice.
Achievements
Meetings
Key Outputs
4 Committee Meetings in 2025
IDA
Membership
2025 was a strong year for membership growth and engagement, with 155 new members joining the Association and total membership exceeding 1,700 dentists nationwide.
1700
155
Title
Use this side to give more information about a topic.
Subtitle
New Members
Members Nationwide
Growth was driven by a clear pipeline of early-career dentists, with over 40% of all new members coming from New Graduates (Y1) and Second-year Practitioners (Y2)
This reflects the IDA’s continued success in engaging dentists at a critical stage in their careers
and building long-term membership loyalty.
New Joiners
47 Dentists joined the IDA for the first time
with a significant surge in momentum towards the end of the year, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted recruitment and engagement campaigns.
129 of all New Joiners
were practising dentists, highlighting strong relevance and value within the core profession.
General Practice
Remains the backbone of the Association
accounting for over one-third of all new members (51 A1 dentists), reinforcing the IDA’s position as the leading representative voice for practising dentists in Ireland.
Why
are you a Member?
Education,
CPD & Events
CPD
Number of Courses
Total Attendees
Hours of CPD delivered
19
208
196.5
Number of Meetings
15
Total Attendees
246
Hours of CPD delivered
32.5
Summary
Webinars
Number of Webinars
Total Attendees
Hours of CPD delivered
15
906
21
Hands-on Courses
Regional Meetings
A total of 56 CPD events were delivered across webinars, hands-on training, regional meetings, and conferences.
Overall attendance reached 3,320 participants. Webinars attracted the largest audience with over 900 participants.
Hands-on courses contributed the highest number of CPD hours at 196.5 hours.
Regional meetings delivered 32.5 CPD hours to 246 attendees nationwide.
Annual
Conference
This year’s Annual Conference at Kilkenny’s stunning Lyrath Estate offered an exceptional blend of education, innovation and inspiration, with something for every member of the dental team. While the sunshine was tempting, delegates were drawn indoors by an outstanding programme that included pre-conference courses, dedicated sessions for dental nurses and hygienists, and—for the first time—a full facial aesthetics stream.
While the sunshine was tempting, delegates were drawn indoors by an outstanding programme that included pre-conference courses, dedicated sessions for dental nurses and hygienists, and—for the first time—a full facial aesthetics stream. Across the weekend, leading speakers from Ireland and abroad delivered parallel sessions spanning the full spectrum of contemporary dentistry.
Thursday’s hands on and lecture-based courses ranged from endodontic success strategies and composite onlay masterclasses to implant maintenance, prosthetic rehabilitation, sleep related disorders, and treating patients with substance use challenges. Friday’s clinical programme opened with Dr Gabriel Krastl, who encouraged clinicians to “think beyond the guidelines” in paediatric trauma, demonstrating how
creative, evidence based interventions can preserve teeth previously considered unsalvageable. Prof. Ama Johal followed with insights into safe, predictable clear aligner therapy, emphasising expert support and careful case selection.
A strong aesthetics and wellness theme continued throughout the day.
Read full article
Colgate
Caring Dentist Awards 2025
The 2025 Colgate Caring Dentist and Dental Team Awards celebrated exceptional compassion in Irish dentistry, with the top honour going to Dr Maurice FitzGerald, overall Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year and Connacht winner. Dr FitzGerald was recognised for his extraordinary, long term pro bono care for a young man who suffered a traumatic brain injury in Barcelona and has since undergone 15 brain surgeries.
Throughout years of severe medical setbacks, Dr FitzGerald has ensured the patient’s dental health is maintained, offering unwavering kindness and support that the patient’s family described as “outstanding during a time of extreme suffering and stress”.
Other regional and category winners were also honoured for remarkable patient centred care: Dr Babak Samiei (Dublin), Dr Niall Neeson (Leinster), Dr Susan Crean (Munster), Dr Lidiia Dydyn (Ulster), Young Dentist of the Year Dr Cal McCarthy, and Dr Kumar Karra for Treatment of a Child. Longford Dental Centre received the Caring Dental Team Award for exceptional support of a cancer patient.
HSE Dental Surgeons
The IDA and the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (Irish Division)
hosted a major paediatric dentistry event in Dublin, with over 100 delegates and 20 specialist speakers, marking another extremely successful educational gathering for the profession.
Seminar
The HSE Dental Surgeons Group held a highly successful Annual Seminar in Kilkenny in October, bringing together public sector dentists for two days of education, discussion, and professional connection. Opening the event, Group President Dr Maura Cuffe welcomed attendees and paid tribute to the late Dr Iseult Bouarroudj, a respected former HSE Group President and colleague.
Read full article
CPD
Forum
2025 Programme
With the impending introduction of mandatory CPD for dentists, IDA set up a CPD FORUM to take stock of what we currently are offering on the CPD/Education front and look at ways it can be improved and ultimately offer better learning for members and team members.
A group of approx 15 dentists, right across the geographical divide and areas of specialization have met on three separate occasions to brainstorm how best to deliver quality CPD and education once CPD becomes mandatory in Ireland. Some fantastic ideas and suggestions came about and a comprehensive
plan of action adopted. All Regions had the opportunity to feed into the Forum and offer ideas on how best to offer CPD and Learning nationwide. A big thank you to all who contributed to the forum.
Summary
Financial
IDA
Governance
€ 230,778
Total
Income
€ 159,215
€1,986,152
€ 1,311,154
Financial Statements
Total
Income
€1,986,152
€ 902,865
Total
Expenditure
€1,995,564
€ 330,604
Total
Expenditure
€1,995,564
IDA
Governance
2025
Highlights
Head
Office
Management
Committee
Subcommittes
IDA
Council
We extend our sincere thanks to every member who supported us throughout 2025. Your involvement and commitment enable us to us to represent dentists at every stage of their career and to advocate effectively for the profession as a whole. Together, we have strengthened dentistry—today and for the future. As we look ahead to 2026, we encourage members to remain engaged and invite those considering joining or rejoining the Association to connect with us.
Strong representation depends on active participation, and your involvement makes a meaningful difference. If you are considering joining or rejoining the Association, or would like to learn more about how we support our members, we would be delighted to connect with you. Please contact Molly Conroy, Membership Manager, by scanning the QR code on this page.
Together, we are stronger—and the future of the profession is brighter.
IDA President Dr Will Rymer reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting dentists working in the public service, especially at a time of significant change for the profession.
Across both days, delegates engaged with a wide range of practical and evidence based presentations. Topics included:
communication strategies following adverse outcomes, contemporary caries management, oral medicine in young patients, interceptive extractions, and the evolving landscape of dental materials.
Sessions also addressed the oral health needs of patients with:
movement disorders, the complex care required for paediatric oncology patients, and clinician wellbeing, with speakers emphasising resilience, balanced practice, and patient centred care.
Hands on workshops in radiology, treatment planning, and caries assessment rounded out the programme, ensuring strong clinical take aways for all attendees.
2025 Key Outputs
IDA delegation met HSE
Committee subgroup
Smile & Slainte Webinar
four times regarding staffing (posts promised in Budget 25) and twice regarding HSE Re-structuring.
prepared and submitted a proposal on the Strategic Positioning of Oral Healthcare Services within the Re-structured HSE.
Future of the Public Dental Service broadcast 4th November (for members)
2025 Achievements
Improved engagement with GPs
Extensive preparation for negotiations
Wide ranging media contributions
National GP Meeting Portlaoise April 2025 and first of several nationwide roadshows in Cork December 2025
regarding DTSS, Smile & Slainte- National Oral Health Policy-see surveys below, DTSS and DTBS sub committees
from various GP committee members advocating for GPs and their patients
2025 Calendar
17/0128/0325/04 25/06 24/09 19/11
GP Committee meeting
GP Committee Workshop National GP Meeting
GP Committee Meeting
GP Committee Meeting
GP Committee Meeting
Newly Redesigned & Sustainable
In 2025, the JIDA taskforce finalised more than a year of work to launch a newly redesigned JIDA. In addition to a more modern and professional layout, a key development was the separation of the journal’s scientific content, which is now published as JIDA Science. The journal has renewed its commitment to sustainability by switching to compostable packaging materials.
Achievements
JIDA Science: Members only
International Editorial Board
An important milestone for the journal is that all its scientific content, which is now separate as JIDA Science, started being posted to IDA members only. The aim of this move was to add value to the IDA membership and attract new members.
The journal welcomed 8 members to its newly formed international editorial board, including academics from Brazil, USA, Switzerland, UK, Germany, Qatar, and Singapore, and held an inaugural meeting online in December 2025.
dental care—both public and private—will continue to be at risk. The Association’s advocacy contributed to the establishment of new cross sector discussions on education pathways, international recruitment, and retention strategies for young clinicians. This was also the year in which we expanded our focus on the dental team as a whole and the vital work of our CPD Forum has charted a major expansion in our plans. Our support for dental nurses, practice managers, hygienists, and therapists is now becoming more visible and structured than ever, with dedicated CPD, advisory resources, and new pathways for engagement. Strengthening the wider team is central to the sustainability of dental practice, and the IDA will continue to broaden its support in the years ahead.
and rejoined members in 2025. CPD provision remains a core function, and 2025 saw record participation across webinars, hands on courses, branch meetings, and our flagship conferences. We strengthened the clinical depth of our education offerings, while also expanding non clinical topics such as practice management, digital dentistry, risk reduction, and leadership development. Communications with members evolved further, with more frequent updates, redesigned digital newsletters, and better access to resources. The revamp of the Journal of the Irish Dental Association, following extensive deliberations, has been very positively received. There is no doubt but that our Journal has consolidated its position as the leading Irish platform for clinical scholarship and professional insight as a peer reviewed scientific publication.
The value proposition for IDA members continued to grow strongly in 2025. Our free, confidential HR advisory service—tailored specifically to dental practice—has become one of the most utilised supports we provide, saving members significant cost and providing expert guidance on contracts, recruitment, disputes, compliance, and workplace management. Demand for this service increased again this year, reflecting both its relevance and the complexities facing practice owners and associates. The many financial benefits we offer members means it is impossible to ignore the fact that if you are not a member of the Association then it is costing you money. That also explains why we attracted a record number of new
Member Services and Support
The Association continued to implement the governance framework adopted in recent years, embedding best practice in oversight and accountability. Our Council, committees, and task forces demonstrated exceptional commitment and professionalism, ensuring that decisions are grounded in evidence, transparency, and the long term interests of the profession. Internally, we invested in systems, processes, and staff development to support an expanding suite of
Governance and Organisational Development
As we move into 2026, our work is more important than ever. Dentistry is experiencing profound change—technological, demographic, regulatory, and financial. Yet these changes also bring opportunity. The IDA will continue to lead with purpose: advocating for a better system, supporting members to deliver high quality care, and ensuring that the profession’s voice carries weight where decisions are made. Our priorities for the year ahead include securing meaningful progress on contract reform; strengthening workforce planning; expanding member supports in the areas of professional competence and CPD especially; enhancing our evidence base; and continuing to build a strong, unified professional community. I extend my sincere thanks to our members, committees, Council, staff, and officers for their dedication throughout 2025. The strength of this Association lies in its people, and together we will continue to advance and protect the profession of dentistry in Ireland.
Looking Ahead
member services. The dedicated team at IDA House worked diligently to deliver high quality events, publications, HR and advisory services, financial management, and member engagement throughout the year. Their professionalism remains one of the Association’s greatest strengths.
highlight serious concerns regarding capacity, workforce shortages, and the ability of practices to absorb mounting costs without adequate support. While significant challenges remain, the Association has secured a stronger footing for the profession in key policy debates, and we will continue advocating robustly for workable, evidence based reforms.
Advocacy and Engagement
Throughout 2025, the IDA worked tirelessly to advance the interests of our members, strengthen the voice of dentistry in national policy, and ensure that high quality, accessible oral healthcare remains a core pillar of the Irish health system. The consistency and unity of our members have underpinned every step of this work, and I am pleased to present this report outlining the progress, challenges, and opportunities that marked the year.
Advocacy remained central to the Association’s mission in 2025. We continued to press for meaningful reform of State dental schemes, including the provision of viable, modernised arrangements for the care of medical card patients and children. The current schemes remain outdated and under resourced, and the Association’s consistent messaging—that sustainable access for patients depends on realistic fees, reduced administrative burden, and a partnership driven approach—has gained renewed recognition across Government, political representatives, key opinion leaders and health agencies.
This year saw intensified engagement with key stakeholders and active participation in ongoing fee reviews and policy reform discussions. Negotiations on behalf of individual members remained an important and valued service and our involvement in collective bargaining on behalf of salaried dentists in the HSE and in our dental schools meant we secured real progress for our members and a loud and effective voice on behalf of the profession. In all our advocacy work, we provided detailed submissions, data driven analyses, and practical proposals informed by the realities of front line practice. Importantly, we continued to
Workforce and Sustainability
Workforce pressures intensified in 2025, reflecting declining graduate retention, heightened recruitment challenges, and increasing demands on dental teams. The IDA prioritised this issue through detailed research, the publication of workforce analysis papers, and close consultation with training bodies and policymakers.
A particular focus in 2025 was on the need to cap the number of places in our dental schools for non-EEA students, along with a commensurate investment by the state to cover lost income, to maximise the numbers of graduates ready to begin practice here in Ireland. The opening of the new RCSI dental school was a welcome development and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the new school, its staff, and students.
We consistently communicated a clear message: without strategic investment and coordinated planning, access to
Fintan Hourihan
IDA Chief Executive Officer
Dr Dallas Walker explored jawline augmentation and patient centred planning, while Dr Dermot Canavan clarified Botox’s role in managing orofacial pain—valuable as part of a holistic approach. Prof. Ann Spolarich addressed the growing challenge of polypharmacy, urging clinicians to recognise both appropriate and inappropriate medication use in ageing patients.
Later, Dr Rory O’Reilly highlighted evidence based strategies to prevent burnout among dental professionals, and Dr Jeroen Liebregts delivered a gripping session on rehabilitating complex facial trauma, showcasing the power of digital planning and interdisciplinary care.
Saturday continued with cutting edge clinical updates, including the perio cardio link, minimally invasive caries management, early orthodontic intervention, and practical oral surgery tips.
Overall, the conference was a vibrant celebration of learning, collaboration and excellence—equipping attendees with fresh insights and renewed passion for patient care.
Representatives of the Association presented four key reform proposals addressing the workforce crisis, the collapse of the medical card scheme, rebuilding the HSE public dental service, and delivering on the WHO global oral health strategy. The delegation stressed the need for early, confidence building actions—such as recognising additional dental specialties and resolving work permit challenges—to demonstrate a genuine shift in engagement with the profession.
Urgent issues highlighted included the breakdown of the medical card scheme and rapidly worsening access to dental care for children.
The Association called for immediate negotiations on a fundamentally redesigned model for medical card patients and a clear Government commitment to rebuilding the public dental service, noting a 31% decline in school screenings despite population growth. Reaffirming its willingness to engage constructively, the Association emphasised that restoring a strong public dental system, supported by viable private sector collaboration, is essential to re establish Ireland’s leadership in preventive oral healthcare.
2025 Calendar
The Editorial Board
held 3 meetings in 2025, one in person and 2 online.
The International Editorial Board
held its first meeting in 2025 and aims to meet online once a year.
2025 Achievements
Medical Devices Regulation
Dental Specialties
Professional Qualifications
Automatic recognition for Dental Specialties at the EU level has received consideration from the European Commission.
The CED is acknowledged as a stakeholder in the European Commission’s review of the Professional Qualifications Directive and has established a Working Group to engage with the Commission on matters related to Dental Education across the EU.
Through advocacy regarding the Medical Devices Regulation, the CED has secured that most commonly used dental materials and instruments will not require recertification before 2028, as previously mandated.
In 2025, the CED conducted two General Meetings in Gdansk and Brussels, along with two Board Meetings in Brussels attended by Dr. Robin Foyle as a Board Member.
Gdansk, Brussels
2025 Achievements
UN recognition of Oral Health
Healthy ageing
Policy statements
Launched the Oral Health for an Ageing Population Guide to support healthy ageing.
Adopted nine policy statements on key global oral health issues in collaboration with member organisations.
In the 2025 UN General Assembly declaration on NCDs, reflecting over a decade of FDI advocacy.
2025 Key Outputs
Audit Tool
Regulatory
Contribution
Guidance
Advisory input to IDA policy submissions and patient safety guidance.
to JIDA publications on sustainable dentistry.
Draft and revision of the Emergency Drugs & Equipment Audit Tool for Irish dental practices.
Representation of the profession in HIQA regulatory discussions on radiology and medical exposure reporting.
2025 Key Outputs
GP Practice Costs Survey
GP Policy Paper
GP Survey
Increase in DTBS fees: scale and polish fee increase of 19% (€42 to €50)
December2025
July 2025
Sept 2025
December 2025
2025 Achievements
Sustainable Dentistry Initiative
Scott Review
Advanced the Sustainable Dentistry initiative, including publication of articles in the Journal of the Irish Dental Association and engagement with the dental trade and international partners.
Provided expert input to the IDA submission to the Scott Review of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Radiology Governance
Audit Tool
Focus Groups
Engaged with HIQA on radiology governance, including issues relating to the definition of “undertaking” and regulatory clarity for dental practices.
Progressed development of an Emergency Drugs & Equipment Audit Tool to support dental practices in maintaining appropriate emergency preparedness.
Contributed to national discussions on reportable radiation events through IDA participation in HIQA focus groups.
6 Editions
of the journal were published online and in print in 2025, bringing news of the association, advocacy, professional development opportunities and showcasing the best of Irish and International research. In total, twelve research papers, 6 clinical tips and 6 clinical features were published in 2025.
Outputs
Editorial Board: New Members
Submissions
The journal received 40 submissions from January to December 2025, between original research, clinical tips and clinical features, and had a 65% acceptance rate.
The Editorial Board welcomed two new members in 2025: Dr Catherine Gallagher and Ms Una Farrell and is now composed of 13 members, including the editor Dr Cristiane da Mata, the deputy editor Dr David McReynolds, the IDA CEO Mr Fintan Hourihan, and the IDA Director of Communications & Advocacy Roisín Farrelly.
FDI Meeting, World Dental Parliament and Congress took place in Shanghai in September 2025
Shanghai
While challenges persist, this year has demonstrated meaningful progress. Guided by collaboration, mentorship, and unity, the Association is building a stronger, more inclusive profession, one that is increasingly equipped to define, rather than respond to, the future of Irish dentistry. I cannot thank the team at IDA House, and the officers at the Association enough for their hard work and dedication. Every person who has volunteered their time for the Irish Dental Association this year, can take ownership of the successes we have enjoyed. United in purpose, moving forward together.
A central achievement this year has been the elevation of dentistry within national healthcare discourse. Through sustained advocacy, strategic communication, and direct engagement with government, dentistry is now firmly positioned within key policy conversations. This increased visibility ensures that both the challenges facing practitioners and their implications for patient care are understood at the highest levels. The profession has never been so effective at communicating the perilous state of the oral health system, as we are right now.
Looking forward, Council has approved the exploration of a National Congress on the future of dentistry. This initiative will convene stakeholders from across the profession to develop a strategic roadmap addressing workforce sustainability, access to care, and the structural evolution required to support modern dental practice. This will tackle the existential crises that face us as a group, practices in large county towns closing rather than selling at retirement should be the “canary in the coalmine” that warns us of impending disaster. Internally, the Association has strengthened its engagement with members through nationwide roadshows, reinforcing the concept of membership as an active, participatory network. Governance has also evolved to better reflect the profession’s future, with students and young dentists now
represented at Council level and supported through the establishment of the IDA Student Forum. Recognising the diversity within dentistry, we have taken steps to ensure broader representation. Submissions to the Dental Council have advanced the case for specialty expansion, while the planned establishment of Academic and Specialist Committees will complement existing GP and HSE structures, ensuring all professional pathways have a voice within the Association. Professional development has been enhanced through the successful rollout of the IDA CPD Forum, now transitioning into a permanent committee structure. In parallel, the launch of a support network and education platform for dental nurses represents a significant step in supporting the wider dental team through education, mentorship, and advocacy. This will support the wider profession. If dentists are the backbone of our profession, then dental nurses are the connective tissue, they link all parts of the practice together, ensuring cohesion between dentist, patient, and procedures. Their development is key to the forward momentum of our aims. Finally, we have modernised our communications through the redevelopment of the Journal into both a dynamic newsletter and a dedicated scientific publication, strengthening engagement at home and internationally.
Dr William Rymer
IDA President
Member Services
& Benefits
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Transcript
Annual Report
Table
of Contents
Key Messages
Year in Numbers
Advocacy & Representations
IDA Committees
President Report CEO Report
Events & CPD Advocacy & PR IDA Membership
2025 Highlights IDA Political Priorities & Influence Media Coverage Meeting with Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
IDA Committees GP Committee HSE Committee International Affairs JIDA Committee Quality & Patient Safety
IDA Membership
Education, CPD & Events
Financial Summary
Membership statistics Why are you a Member?
Education, CPD & Events CPD Summary Annual Conference Colgate Caring Dentist Awards 2025 HSE Dental Surgeons Seminar CPD Forum
Financial Statements Total Income Total Expenditure
IDA Governance
2025 Highlights IDA Organogram Management Committee Subcommittees Head Office IDA Council
Messages
Key
President
Report
Over the past year, the Irish Dental Association has moved decisively from advocating connection as an ideal to embedding it as a structural reality across our profession. The challenges we identified previously, professional isolation, workforce pressures, and fragmentation, remain significant. However, our collective response has evolved. We are no longer reacting as individuals. We increasingly function as a coordinated and unified profession.
Read full article
CEO
Report
The past year was bookmarked by two important developments which serve to illustrate a period of rapid change reflecting the hard work of the Association in recent years. The publication of the Programme for Government in early 2025 featured an unprecedented six specific commitments to oral health reforms by the newly formed Government.
Commitments were made to publish the implementation plan for the 2019 Smile agus Slaintecare oral health policy, to address the crisis in the school dental service, to address the chronic waiting lists in orthodontic care, to publish new dental legislation, to recognise a greater number of dental specialties and to legislate for a long overdue system of professional competence for dentists.
Read full article
Year
in Numbers
Events
& CPD
15
15
19
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Use this side of the card to provide more information about a topic. Focus on one concept. Make learning and communication more efficient.
Number of Meetings
Number of Webinars
Number of Courses
246
906
208
Total Attendees
Total Attendees
Total Attendees
Title
Title
Title
32.5
21
196.5
Write a brief description here
Write a brief description here
Write a brief description here
Hands-on
Regional
Webinars
Courses
Meetings
Points of CPD delivered
Points of CPD delivered
Points of CPD delivered
Created in excess of opportunities for public to hear or read about the Irish Dental Association
66.2
Advocacy
& PR
162
331
3,635
38
Followers
400,000 content views
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271
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Mentions in the Oireachtas
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Committee hearings, Topical debates, Oral Parliamentary Questions etc
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Editions of the Journal of IDA
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PR
Comms
Public
Social
Followers
65,000 impressions
Oireachtas members speaking on dental care
Media
Print/Digital
Affairs
Media
Politicians spoke out
on national and local media on issues we raised
and oral health
IDA
Membership
1700
Members Nationwide
Membership
€ / year
2000
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Savings
Through exclusive professional indemnity arrangements
Individual Member savings
across services
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IDA Members savings in 2025
Advocacy
& Representation
2025
Highlights
IDA
Political Priorities & Influence
Meeting with Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister for Health)
Dáil Debate on Dental School Places
Association met Health Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Pádraig Rice
Meeting with Department of Social Protection officials regarding DTBS (PRSI) fees review
Jul
Aug
SEPT
OCT
NOV
DEC
JUN
MAY
APR
MAR
FEB
JAN
Towards the Future of Sustainable General Dental Practice published and politicians briefed
Dáil Debate on Dental Treatment Services
Meeting with senior HSE officials regarding staffing crisis in public dental service
Media
Coverage
Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Meeting with
At the end of March, the Association met with the new Minister for Health, Dr Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, for a constructive discussion on the future of oral healthcare. The Minister signalled her intent to publish a three-year implementation plan for Smile agus Sláinte and expressed strong commitment to improving services for children and vulnerable groups after years of limited progress.
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IDA
Committees
GP
Committee
Promoting the interests of General Practitioners (GPs) and overall well-being of Ireland’s population through advocating and championing for the delivery of fair equitable and sustainable oral healthcare for all.
Achievements
Meetings
Key Outputs
HSE
Committee
The committee works to improve the Oral Health of the population by advocating for better Public Dental Services and represents the interests of IDA members employed in the Public Dental Service at both local and national levels.
Achievements
Meetings
Key Outputs
6 Committee Meetings in 2025
HSE Seminar Kilkenny (2 days) in light of HSE budget constraints
International
Affairs
The Council of European Dentists is dedicated to shaping policy and strategy in order to further the interests of the dental profession within the European Union.
Meetings
Achievements
International
Affairs
The FDI World Dental Federation’s core purpose is to be the independent global voice of dentistry, promoting oral health, supporting dental professionals, and advancing the science, practice, and ethics of dentistry.
Meetings
Achievements
JIDA
Committee
The Journal of the Irish Dental Association and JIDA Science aim to inform and support dentists by publishing professional news, updates, developments in dental science and clinical professional practice, and the advocacy work of the Irish Dental Association.
Achievements
Meetings
Key Outputs
Quality
& Patient Safety
Support the Irish Dental Association and its members in matters relating to patient safety, clinical governance and regulatory issues relevant to dental practice.
Achievements
Meetings
Key Outputs
4 Committee Meetings in 2025
IDA
Membership
2025 was a strong year for membership growth and engagement, with 155 new members joining the Association and total membership exceeding 1,700 dentists nationwide.
1700
155
Title
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Subtitle
New Members
Members Nationwide
Growth was driven by a clear pipeline of early-career dentists, with over 40% of all new members coming from New Graduates (Y1) and Second-year Practitioners (Y2)
This reflects the IDA’s continued success in engaging dentists at a critical stage in their careers
and building long-term membership loyalty.
New Joiners
47 Dentists joined the IDA for the first time
with a significant surge in momentum towards the end of the year, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted recruitment and engagement campaigns.
129 of all New Joiners
were practising dentists, highlighting strong relevance and value within the core profession.
General Practice
Remains the backbone of the Association
accounting for over one-third of all new members (51 A1 dentists), reinforcing the IDA’s position as the leading representative voice for practising dentists in Ireland.
Why
are you a Member?
Education,
CPD & Events
CPD
Number of Courses
Total Attendees
Hours of CPD delivered
19
208
196.5
Number of Meetings
15
Total Attendees
246
Hours of CPD delivered
32.5
Summary
Webinars
Number of Webinars
Total Attendees
Hours of CPD delivered
15
906
21
Hands-on Courses
Regional Meetings
A total of 56 CPD events were delivered across webinars, hands-on training, regional meetings, and conferences. Overall attendance reached 3,320 participants. Webinars attracted the largest audience with over 900 participants. Hands-on courses contributed the highest number of CPD hours at 196.5 hours. Regional meetings delivered 32.5 CPD hours to 246 attendees nationwide.
Annual
Conference
This year’s Annual Conference at Kilkenny’s stunning Lyrath Estate offered an exceptional blend of education, innovation and inspiration, with something for every member of the dental team. While the sunshine was tempting, delegates were drawn indoors by an outstanding programme that included pre-conference courses, dedicated sessions for dental nurses and hygienists, and—for the first time—a full facial aesthetics stream.
While the sunshine was tempting, delegates were drawn indoors by an outstanding programme that included pre-conference courses, dedicated sessions for dental nurses and hygienists, and—for the first time—a full facial aesthetics stream. Across the weekend, leading speakers from Ireland and abroad delivered parallel sessions spanning the full spectrum of contemporary dentistry.
Thursday’s hands on and lecture-based courses ranged from endodontic success strategies and composite onlay masterclasses to implant maintenance, prosthetic rehabilitation, sleep related disorders, and treating patients with substance use challenges. Friday’s clinical programme opened with Dr Gabriel Krastl, who encouraged clinicians to “think beyond the guidelines” in paediatric trauma, demonstrating how
creative, evidence based interventions can preserve teeth previously considered unsalvageable. Prof. Ama Johal followed with insights into safe, predictable clear aligner therapy, emphasising expert support and careful case selection. A strong aesthetics and wellness theme continued throughout the day.
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Colgate
Caring Dentist Awards 2025
The 2025 Colgate Caring Dentist and Dental Team Awards celebrated exceptional compassion in Irish dentistry, with the top honour going to Dr Maurice FitzGerald, overall Colgate Caring Dentist of the Year and Connacht winner. Dr FitzGerald was recognised for his extraordinary, long term pro bono care for a young man who suffered a traumatic brain injury in Barcelona and has since undergone 15 brain surgeries.
Throughout years of severe medical setbacks, Dr FitzGerald has ensured the patient’s dental health is maintained, offering unwavering kindness and support that the patient’s family described as “outstanding during a time of extreme suffering and stress”. Other regional and category winners were also honoured for remarkable patient centred care: Dr Babak Samiei (Dublin), Dr Niall Neeson (Leinster), Dr Susan Crean (Munster), Dr Lidiia Dydyn (Ulster), Young Dentist of the Year Dr Cal McCarthy, and Dr Kumar Karra for Treatment of a Child. Longford Dental Centre received the Caring Dental Team Award for exceptional support of a cancer patient.
HSE Dental Surgeons
The IDA and the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (Irish Division)
hosted a major paediatric dentistry event in Dublin, with over 100 delegates and 20 specialist speakers, marking another extremely successful educational gathering for the profession.
Seminar
The HSE Dental Surgeons Group held a highly successful Annual Seminar in Kilkenny in October, bringing together public sector dentists for two days of education, discussion, and professional connection. Opening the event, Group President Dr Maura Cuffe welcomed attendees and paid tribute to the late Dr Iseult Bouarroudj, a respected former HSE Group President and colleague.
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CPD
Forum
2025 Programme
With the impending introduction of mandatory CPD for dentists, IDA set up a CPD FORUM to take stock of what we currently are offering on the CPD/Education front and look at ways it can be improved and ultimately offer better learning for members and team members.
A group of approx 15 dentists, right across the geographical divide and areas of specialization have met on three separate occasions to brainstorm how best to deliver quality CPD and education once CPD becomes mandatory in Ireland. Some fantastic ideas and suggestions came about and a comprehensive
plan of action adopted. All Regions had the opportunity to feed into the Forum and offer ideas on how best to offer CPD and Learning nationwide. A big thank you to all who contributed to the forum.
Summary
Financial
IDA
Governance
€ 230,778
Total
Income
€ 159,215
€1,986,152
€ 1,311,154
Financial Statements
Total
Income
€1,986,152
€ 902,865
Total
Expenditure
€1,995,564
€ 330,604
Total
Expenditure
€1,995,564
IDA
Governance
2025
Highlights
Head
Office
Management
Committee
Subcommittes
IDA
Council
We extend our sincere thanks to every member who supported us throughout 2025. Your involvement and commitment enable us to us to represent dentists at every stage of their career and to advocate effectively for the profession as a whole. Together, we have strengthened dentistry—today and for the future. As we look ahead to 2026, we encourage members to remain engaged and invite those considering joining or rejoining the Association to connect with us.
Strong representation depends on active participation, and your involvement makes a meaningful difference. If you are considering joining or rejoining the Association, or would like to learn more about how we support our members, we would be delighted to connect with you. Please contact Molly Conroy, Membership Manager, by scanning the QR code on this page.
Together, we are stronger—and the future of the profession is brighter.
IDA President Dr Will Rymer reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to supporting dentists working in the public service, especially at a time of significant change for the profession. Across both days, delegates engaged with a wide range of practical and evidence based presentations. Topics included:
communication strategies following adverse outcomes, contemporary caries management, oral medicine in young patients, interceptive extractions, and the evolving landscape of dental materials.
Sessions also addressed the oral health needs of patients with:
movement disorders, the complex care required for paediatric oncology patients, and clinician wellbeing, with speakers emphasising resilience, balanced practice, and patient centred care.
Hands on workshops in radiology, treatment planning, and caries assessment rounded out the programme, ensuring strong clinical take aways for all attendees.
2025 Key Outputs
IDA delegation met HSE
Committee subgroup
Smile & Slainte Webinar
four times regarding staffing (posts promised in Budget 25) and twice regarding HSE Re-structuring.
prepared and submitted a proposal on the Strategic Positioning of Oral Healthcare Services within the Re-structured HSE.
Future of the Public Dental Service broadcast 4th November (for members)
2025 Achievements
Improved engagement with GPs
Extensive preparation for negotiations
Wide ranging media contributions
National GP Meeting Portlaoise April 2025 and first of several nationwide roadshows in Cork December 2025
regarding DTSS, Smile & Slainte- National Oral Health Policy-see surveys below, DTSS and DTBS sub committees
from various GP committee members advocating for GPs and their patients
2025 Calendar
17/0128/0325/04 25/06 24/09 19/11
GP Committee meeting GP Committee Workshop National GP Meeting GP Committee Meeting GP Committee Meeting GP Committee Meeting
Newly Redesigned & Sustainable
In 2025, the JIDA taskforce finalised more than a year of work to launch a newly redesigned JIDA. In addition to a more modern and professional layout, a key development was the separation of the journal’s scientific content, which is now published as JIDA Science. The journal has renewed its commitment to sustainability by switching to compostable packaging materials.
Achievements
JIDA Science: Members only
International Editorial Board
An important milestone for the journal is that all its scientific content, which is now separate as JIDA Science, started being posted to IDA members only. The aim of this move was to add value to the IDA membership and attract new members.
The journal welcomed 8 members to its newly formed international editorial board, including academics from Brazil, USA, Switzerland, UK, Germany, Qatar, and Singapore, and held an inaugural meeting online in December 2025.
dental care—both public and private—will continue to be at risk. The Association’s advocacy contributed to the establishment of new cross sector discussions on education pathways, international recruitment, and retention strategies for young clinicians. This was also the year in which we expanded our focus on the dental team as a whole and the vital work of our CPD Forum has charted a major expansion in our plans. Our support for dental nurses, practice managers, hygienists, and therapists is now becoming more visible and structured than ever, with dedicated CPD, advisory resources, and new pathways for engagement. Strengthening the wider team is central to the sustainability of dental practice, and the IDA will continue to broaden its support in the years ahead.
and rejoined members in 2025. CPD provision remains a core function, and 2025 saw record participation across webinars, hands on courses, branch meetings, and our flagship conferences. We strengthened the clinical depth of our education offerings, while also expanding non clinical topics such as practice management, digital dentistry, risk reduction, and leadership development. Communications with members evolved further, with more frequent updates, redesigned digital newsletters, and better access to resources. The revamp of the Journal of the Irish Dental Association, following extensive deliberations, has been very positively received. There is no doubt but that our Journal has consolidated its position as the leading Irish platform for clinical scholarship and professional insight as a peer reviewed scientific publication.
The value proposition for IDA members continued to grow strongly in 2025. Our free, confidential HR advisory service—tailored specifically to dental practice—has become one of the most utilised supports we provide, saving members significant cost and providing expert guidance on contracts, recruitment, disputes, compliance, and workplace management. Demand for this service increased again this year, reflecting both its relevance and the complexities facing practice owners and associates. The many financial benefits we offer members means it is impossible to ignore the fact that if you are not a member of the Association then it is costing you money. That also explains why we attracted a record number of new
Member Services and Support
The Association continued to implement the governance framework adopted in recent years, embedding best practice in oversight and accountability. Our Council, committees, and task forces demonstrated exceptional commitment and professionalism, ensuring that decisions are grounded in evidence, transparency, and the long term interests of the profession. Internally, we invested in systems, processes, and staff development to support an expanding suite of
Governance and Organisational Development
As we move into 2026, our work is more important than ever. Dentistry is experiencing profound change—technological, demographic, regulatory, and financial. Yet these changes also bring opportunity. The IDA will continue to lead with purpose: advocating for a better system, supporting members to deliver high quality care, and ensuring that the profession’s voice carries weight where decisions are made. Our priorities for the year ahead include securing meaningful progress on contract reform; strengthening workforce planning; expanding member supports in the areas of professional competence and CPD especially; enhancing our evidence base; and continuing to build a strong, unified professional community. I extend my sincere thanks to our members, committees, Council, staff, and officers for their dedication throughout 2025. The strength of this Association lies in its people, and together we will continue to advance and protect the profession of dentistry in Ireland.
Looking Ahead
member services. The dedicated team at IDA House worked diligently to deliver high quality events, publications, HR and advisory services, financial management, and member engagement throughout the year. Their professionalism remains one of the Association’s greatest strengths.
highlight serious concerns regarding capacity, workforce shortages, and the ability of practices to absorb mounting costs without adequate support. While significant challenges remain, the Association has secured a stronger footing for the profession in key policy debates, and we will continue advocating robustly for workable, evidence based reforms.
Advocacy and Engagement
Throughout 2025, the IDA worked tirelessly to advance the interests of our members, strengthen the voice of dentistry in national policy, and ensure that high quality, accessible oral healthcare remains a core pillar of the Irish health system. The consistency and unity of our members have underpinned every step of this work, and I am pleased to present this report outlining the progress, challenges, and opportunities that marked the year.
Advocacy remained central to the Association’s mission in 2025. We continued to press for meaningful reform of State dental schemes, including the provision of viable, modernised arrangements for the care of medical card patients and children. The current schemes remain outdated and under resourced, and the Association’s consistent messaging—that sustainable access for patients depends on realistic fees, reduced administrative burden, and a partnership driven approach—has gained renewed recognition across Government, political representatives, key opinion leaders and health agencies. This year saw intensified engagement with key stakeholders and active participation in ongoing fee reviews and policy reform discussions. Negotiations on behalf of individual members remained an important and valued service and our involvement in collective bargaining on behalf of salaried dentists in the HSE and in our dental schools meant we secured real progress for our members and a loud and effective voice on behalf of the profession. In all our advocacy work, we provided detailed submissions, data driven analyses, and practical proposals informed by the realities of front line practice. Importantly, we continued to
Workforce and Sustainability
Workforce pressures intensified in 2025, reflecting declining graduate retention, heightened recruitment challenges, and increasing demands on dental teams. The IDA prioritised this issue through detailed research, the publication of workforce analysis papers, and close consultation with training bodies and policymakers. A particular focus in 2025 was on the need to cap the number of places in our dental schools for non-EEA students, along with a commensurate investment by the state to cover lost income, to maximise the numbers of graduates ready to begin practice here in Ireland. The opening of the new RCSI dental school was a welcome development and we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the new school, its staff, and students. We consistently communicated a clear message: without strategic investment and coordinated planning, access to
Fintan Hourihan
IDA Chief Executive Officer
Dr Dallas Walker explored jawline augmentation and patient centred planning, while Dr Dermot Canavan clarified Botox’s role in managing orofacial pain—valuable as part of a holistic approach. Prof. Ann Spolarich addressed the growing challenge of polypharmacy, urging clinicians to recognise both appropriate and inappropriate medication use in ageing patients. Later, Dr Rory O’Reilly highlighted evidence based strategies to prevent burnout among dental professionals, and Dr Jeroen Liebregts delivered a gripping session on rehabilitating complex facial trauma, showcasing the power of digital planning and interdisciplinary care. Saturday continued with cutting edge clinical updates, including the perio cardio link, minimally invasive caries management, early orthodontic intervention, and practical oral surgery tips.
Overall, the conference was a vibrant celebration of learning, collaboration and excellence—equipping attendees with fresh insights and renewed passion for patient care.
Representatives of the Association presented four key reform proposals addressing the workforce crisis, the collapse of the medical card scheme, rebuilding the HSE public dental service, and delivering on the WHO global oral health strategy. The delegation stressed the need for early, confidence building actions—such as recognising additional dental specialties and resolving work permit challenges—to demonstrate a genuine shift in engagement with the profession. Urgent issues highlighted included the breakdown of the medical card scheme and rapidly worsening access to dental care for children.
The Association called for immediate negotiations on a fundamentally redesigned model for medical card patients and a clear Government commitment to rebuilding the public dental service, noting a 31% decline in school screenings despite population growth. Reaffirming its willingness to engage constructively, the Association emphasised that restoring a strong public dental system, supported by viable private sector collaboration, is essential to re establish Ireland’s leadership in preventive oral healthcare.
2025 Calendar
The Editorial Board
held 3 meetings in 2025, one in person and 2 online.
The International Editorial Board
held its first meeting in 2025 and aims to meet online once a year.
2025 Achievements
Medical Devices Regulation
Dental Specialties
Professional Qualifications
Automatic recognition for Dental Specialties at the EU level has received consideration from the European Commission.
The CED is acknowledged as a stakeholder in the European Commission’s review of the Professional Qualifications Directive and has established a Working Group to engage with the Commission on matters related to Dental Education across the EU.
Through advocacy regarding the Medical Devices Regulation, the CED has secured that most commonly used dental materials and instruments will not require recertification before 2028, as previously mandated.
In 2025, the CED conducted two General Meetings in Gdansk and Brussels, along with two Board Meetings in Brussels attended by Dr. Robin Foyle as a Board Member.
Gdansk, Brussels
2025 Achievements
UN recognition of Oral Health
Healthy ageing
Policy statements
Launched the Oral Health for an Ageing Population Guide to support healthy ageing.
Adopted nine policy statements on key global oral health issues in collaboration with member organisations.
In the 2025 UN General Assembly declaration on NCDs, reflecting over a decade of FDI advocacy.
2025 Key Outputs
Audit Tool
Regulatory
Contribution
Guidance
Advisory input to IDA policy submissions and patient safety guidance.
to JIDA publications on sustainable dentistry.
Draft and revision of the Emergency Drugs & Equipment Audit Tool for Irish dental practices.
Representation of the profession in HIQA regulatory discussions on radiology and medical exposure reporting.
2025 Key Outputs
GP Practice Costs Survey
GP Policy Paper
GP Survey
Increase in DTBS fees: scale and polish fee increase of 19% (€42 to €50)
December2025
July 2025
Sept 2025
December 2025
2025 Achievements
Sustainable Dentistry Initiative
Scott Review
Advanced the Sustainable Dentistry initiative, including publication of articles in the Journal of the Irish Dental Association and engagement with the dental trade and international partners.
Provided expert input to the IDA submission to the Scott Review of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Radiology Governance
Audit Tool
Focus Groups
Engaged with HIQA on radiology governance, including issues relating to the definition of “undertaking” and regulatory clarity for dental practices.
Progressed development of an Emergency Drugs & Equipment Audit Tool to support dental practices in maintaining appropriate emergency preparedness.
Contributed to national discussions on reportable radiation events through IDA participation in HIQA focus groups.
6 Editions
of the journal were published online and in print in 2025, bringing news of the association, advocacy, professional development opportunities and showcasing the best of Irish and International research. In total, twelve research papers, 6 clinical tips and 6 clinical features were published in 2025.
Outputs
Editorial Board: New Members
Submissions
The journal received 40 submissions from January to December 2025, between original research, clinical tips and clinical features, and had a 65% acceptance rate.
The Editorial Board welcomed two new members in 2025: Dr Catherine Gallagher and Ms Una Farrell and is now composed of 13 members, including the editor Dr Cristiane da Mata, the deputy editor Dr David McReynolds, the IDA CEO Mr Fintan Hourihan, and the IDA Director of Communications & Advocacy Roisín Farrelly.
FDI Meeting, World Dental Parliament and Congress took place in Shanghai in September 2025
Shanghai
While challenges persist, this year has demonstrated meaningful progress. Guided by collaboration, mentorship, and unity, the Association is building a stronger, more inclusive profession, one that is increasingly equipped to define, rather than respond to, the future of Irish dentistry. I cannot thank the team at IDA House, and the officers at the Association enough for their hard work and dedication. Every person who has volunteered their time for the Irish Dental Association this year, can take ownership of the successes we have enjoyed. United in purpose, moving forward together.
A central achievement this year has been the elevation of dentistry within national healthcare discourse. Through sustained advocacy, strategic communication, and direct engagement with government, dentistry is now firmly positioned within key policy conversations. This increased visibility ensures that both the challenges facing practitioners and their implications for patient care are understood at the highest levels. The profession has never been so effective at communicating the perilous state of the oral health system, as we are right now. Looking forward, Council has approved the exploration of a National Congress on the future of dentistry. This initiative will convene stakeholders from across the profession to develop a strategic roadmap addressing workforce sustainability, access to care, and the structural evolution required to support modern dental practice. This will tackle the existential crises that face us as a group, practices in large county towns closing rather than selling at retirement should be the “canary in the coalmine” that warns us of impending disaster. Internally, the Association has strengthened its engagement with members through nationwide roadshows, reinforcing the concept of membership as an active, participatory network. Governance has also evolved to better reflect the profession’s future, with students and young dentists now
represented at Council level and supported through the establishment of the IDA Student Forum. Recognising the diversity within dentistry, we have taken steps to ensure broader representation. Submissions to the Dental Council have advanced the case for specialty expansion, while the planned establishment of Academic and Specialist Committees will complement existing GP and HSE structures, ensuring all professional pathways have a voice within the Association. Professional development has been enhanced through the successful rollout of the IDA CPD Forum, now transitioning into a permanent committee structure. In parallel, the launch of a support network and education platform for dental nurses represents a significant step in supporting the wider dental team through education, mentorship, and advocacy. This will support the wider profession. If dentists are the backbone of our profession, then dental nurses are the connective tissue, they link all parts of the practice together, ensuring cohesion between dentist, patient, and procedures. Their development is key to the forward momentum of our aims. Finally, we have modernised our communications through the redevelopment of the Journal into both a dynamic newsletter and a dedicated scientific publication, strengthening engagement at home and internationally.
Dr William Rymer
IDA President
Member Services
& Benefits