HSE dentists vote for first-ever industrial action

Dentists working within the Health Service Executive (HSE) have voted to take industrial action for the first time in the history of the Irish Dental Association (IDA). The move follows a ballot where 98% of members supported action in response to planned restructuring of public dental services. The IDA stated it is seeking to resist unilateral changes to the structure, governance, or reporting relationships within the dental service.

In addition to the restructuring dispute, 95% of balloted IDA members supported taking action regarding the ongoing public service pay dispute, as the previous agreement expired on June 30.

IDA dentists are scheduled to participate in a wider health service work stoppage on October 14. This coordinated action will include more than 11,000 Siptu members across 30 hospitals, as well as members of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) who have also voted in favor of industrial action.