Dental Instruments In Ireland
Written by the Equate Instruments Technical Team · Published ·
Dentists and distributors in Ireland can buy Equate dental instruments directly from the manufacturer, through the Regional Executive for UK & Ireland. The WHO oral health country profile records 3,217 dentists in Ireland in 2018, or 6.7 per 10,000 people (WHO).
Key points
- Medical devices in Ireland are overseen by HPRA.
- Equate sells direct to Ireland, with a named Regional Executive for UK & Ireland.
Dentists in Ireland at a glance
- Dentists on the Register of Dentists at year end: 3,643 (2023) to 3,783 (2024)
- +3.8% since 2023
- Dentists on the Register of Dentists at year end: 3,643 (2023) to 3,783 (2024)
- Dental Council of Ireland, 2024
- The WHO oral health country profile records 3,217 dentists in Ireland in 2018, or 6.7 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- 6.7
- The WHO oral health country profile records 3,217 dentists in Ireland in 2018, or 6.7 per 10,000 people (WHO).
- World Health Organization, 2018
- dental schools listed
- 2
- dental schools listed
- Equate research
- Untreated caries, age 5+31.6%
- Severe periodontal disease, 15+4.9%
- No natural teeth, 20+12.8%
The dark line marks the median of Equate's 22 markets. Source: WHO Oral Health Country Profiles 2022 (2019 estimates).
How many dentists are there in Ireland?
The number of dentists on the Register of Dentists at year end in Ireland rose 3.8%, from 3,643 in 2023 to 3,783 in 2024 (Dental Council of Ireland).
See how Ireland compares with Equate's other markets in dentists per 10,000 people across 21 countries.
What is the state of oral health in Ireland?
WHO estimates that 25.4% of children aged 1 to 9 in Ireland had untreated caries of the deciduous teeth in 2019 (WHO).
WHO estimates that 31.6% of people aged 5 and over in Ireland had untreated caries of the permanent teeth in 2019 (WHO).
WHO estimates that 4.9% of people aged 15 and over in Ireland had severe periodontal disease in 2019 (WHO).
WHO estimates that 12.8% of people aged 20 and over in Ireland had no natural teeth (edentulism) in 2019 (WHO).
In 2020, the age-standardised incidence of lip and oral cavity cancer in Ireland was 4.0 per 100,000 people, with 317 new cases (WHO).
What do national dental surveys show in Ireland?
- Smile agus Sláinte: National Oral Health Policy (Department of Health (Ireland), 2019): Ireland's national oral health policy, Smile agus Sláinte (2019), provides for eight preventive oral healthcare packages for children aged 0 to 16, delivered by a local dentist (Department of Health).
Most-searched Equate instruments for Ireland
All products
extraction forceps
Extracting Forceps American Pattern Fig.16 - Lower Molars Cow-Horn Beak
EI-1412
extraction forceps
Extracting Forceps American Pattern Fig.17 - Lower Molars
EI-1414
hand scalers
H6-H7 Anterior Sickle Scaler
EI-0251
hand scalers
Sharp Jacquette J-Scaler
EI-0253
mouth mirrors
Mouth Mirror Handle - Hollow Hexagonal 8 mm
EI-0108
mouth mirrors
Mouth Mirror No.4 Magnifying 22mm Universal
EI-1798
dental elevators and luxators
Molt 9 Periosteal Elevator, 4mm/7mm Ends, Hollow Handle
EI-0066
dental elevators and luxators
Freer Double-Ended Periosteal Elevator - Titanium Coated
EI-0069
How is dental care organised and paid for in Ireland?
WHO reports that Ireland's largest government health financing scheme covers 100% of the population, and that oral health screening, urgent care and basic restorative dental care are available in public primary care (WHO).
Ireland has a national oral health policy or strategy, according to the WHO oral health country profile (WHO).
How are dental instruments regulated in Ireland?
In Ireland, the HPRA reports that Regulation (EU) 2023/607 entered into force on 20 March 2023, extending the transitional provisions of the EU Medical Devices Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (HPRA).
Under the extended EU MDR transition set out by Ireland's HPRA, legacy class IIb, class IIa, class Is and class Im devices have until 2028, subject to conditions such as lodging a notified body application by 26 May 2024 (HPRA).
The HPRA's MDR timetable for Ireland requires the UDI to be placed on reusable class I devices themselves by 26 May 2027 (HPRA).
The authority responsible for medical devices in Ireland is HPRA.
What are the rules for cleaning and sterilising dental instruments in Ireland?
In Ireland, the Dental Council's infection prevention and control code requires reusable, invasive dental instruments, including handpieces, to be sterilised after every use (Dental Council).
The Dental Council's code states that an automated washer-disinfector should be used to clean dental instruments in Ireland, with steam autoclaving the method of choice for sterilisation (Dental Council).
In Ireland, all new dental premises opened after 1 January 2016 must have a separate local decontamination room fitted out for a washer-disinfector, under the Dental Council's code (Dental Council).
Where can you study dentistry in Ireland?
Dental degrees in Ireland are taught at 2 schools, based in Dublin and Cork.
In Ireland, the Bachelor of Dental Science (B.Dent.Sc.) at Trinity College Dublin is a five-year full-time degree (Trinity College Dublin).
| School | City | Founded | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| School of Dental Science, Trinity College Dublin | Dublin | B.Dent.Sc. | |
| Cork University Dental School and Hospital, University College Cork | Cork | 1913 |
What are the milestones in Ireland's dental history?
- The Dental Council in Ireland was established in 1985, under the Dentists Act 1985, to promote high standards of professional education and conduct among dentists (Dental Council).
- Public water fluoridation in Ireland began in Dublin in 1964, under the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960 (Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology).
- In 2007, Ireland lowered its target fluoride level in drinking water from 1.0 mg/L to 0.7 mg/L, narrowing the permitted range to 0.6–0.8 mg/L (Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology).
- About 71% of Ireland's population receives fluoridated drinking water (Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology).
Which organisations represent dentists in Ireland?
- Dental Council (regulator)
- Irish Dental Association (association)
- Health Products Regulatory Authority (regulator)
What do dentists in Ireland search for?
In UK & Ireland, Google Keyword Planner shows these instrument searches each month (banded, October 2025 to September 2026).
| Instrument | Searches a month (band) | Most searched term |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Extraction Forceps | 21,150 | cowhorn forceps |
| Dental Scalers (Hand Scalers) | 19,400 | scalers |
| Dental Mouth Mirrors | 9,800 | dental mirror |
| Dental Elevators and Luxators | 9,750 | coupland dental |
| Restorative Dental Hand Instruments | 8,450 | amalgam carrier |
| Periodontal Probes | 7,650 | briault probe |
How are teeth numbered in Ireland?
Dentists in Ireland use the FDI two-digit system set out in ISO 3950, where 11 is the upper right central incisor and 48 the lower right third molar.
Which dental instruments does Equate supply to Ireland?
Equate's instrument guides for Ireland cover dental curettes, dental elevators and luxators, dental explorers, extraction forceps, mouth mirrors, surgical retractors, hand scalers, periodontal probes, restorative hand instruments, spoon excavators and tooth extraction instruments.
Why do dental practices in Ireland work with Equate?
- Buyers in Ireland deal with the manufacturer itself, choosing from 3,375 instrument references.
- Every instrument is passivated stainless steel, ultrasonically cleaned, shape-, boil- and performance-tested and individually packed.
- A named Regional Executive for UK & Ireland handles quotes, samples and volume pricing for NHS and private practices and dental groups and hospital departments in Ireland.
- Samples are available, so a clinic in Ireland can test an instrument before ordering in volume.
Equate data
Ireland in Equate's market data
Ireland ranks 22 of 22 in the Equate Dental Market Index 2026, with a score of 31.7 out of 100. See the full index
“A fifth of children are showing signs of decay by the age of eight”
“We need to recruit 120 dentists to the HSE”
Your Regional Executive · UK & Ireland
Nader Chaudhry
Regional Executive, London, UK
Frequently asked questions
Who regulates dentists in Ireland?
The Dental Council, established in 1985 under the Dentists Act 1985, keeps the registers of dentists, oral surgeons and orthodontists. It promotes high standards of professional education and conduct.
How many dentists does Ireland have?
The WHO oral health country profile records 3,217 dentists in Ireland in 2018. That is 6.7 dentists per 10,000 people.
Is Ireland's water fluoridated?
Yes. Fluoridation began in Dublin in 1964 under the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960, and about 71% of the population receives fluoridated water. In 2007 the target level was lowered to 0.7 mg/L.
Where can you study dentistry in Ireland?
Ireland has two dental schools: the School of Dental Science at Trinity College Dublin and Cork University Dental School and Hospital at University College Cork. Trinity's Bachelor of Dental Science is a five-year full-time degree.
How common is tooth decay in Ireland?
WHO estimates for 2019 put untreated caries of the permanent teeth at 31.6% of people aged 5 and over, and untreated caries of the deciduous teeth at 25.4% of children aged 1 to 9.
References
I am a… in Ireland
