About

Brief History

The Medical & Dental Consultant Association (MDCA) emerged when a group of like-minded consultant dentists and consultant doctors convened in April 2020. Since then, we have become an organisation that seeks to identify and address the issues impacting on the practice of medicine and dentistry in the private sector in Ireland. We continue to actively welcome new members into our organisation.

Main Objectives

To recognise and promote the crucial role that independent Medical and Dental consultants play in the provision of quality healthcare nationally

To advocate for policy and practices that enhance patient care

To promote, encourage and support the independent practice of private Medicine and Dentistry

To support new consultants, and those moving to full-time independent practice

To engage with private health insurance companies, relevant state agencies, medical indemnity providers, private hospitals and key stakeholders in private medicine

To provide advice and counsel to members on issues with health insurance companies as well as webinars and bulletins on topics of medical interest

To prepare/commission relevant reports and action their findings

To encourage innovation and facilitation of initiatives

To contribute to the ongoing education of medical graduates, NCHDs and ourselves

To hold ourselves and others to the highest possible professional standards

To maintain collegiality, co-operation and communication, both within the group, and beyond: “Together we are Stronger”

Organisational Structure

The Medical and Dental Consultants Association is a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG).

The Association is administered by a Board of Directors composed of a President, Vice President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and 6 nominees two of whom are non-medical. There is always a minimum of one Dental Representative.

The board must have a majority of full-time Private Practice Consultants.

The President and Vice President must be of no less than 7 years Consultant standing. Both individuals are elected to serve one year. On retirement, the President serves on the Board for a further year. All honorary officials including the 6 nominees are elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Treasurer serves for 3 years.

The President chairs the Board and all general meetings, providing oversight in relation to the operations of the Association, including Finance and Governance. The President acts as a spokesperson on organisational Medical and Dental Association issues. The President represents the Association at meetings of National and International bodies as determined by the Board.

There is a separate Governance committee. The Governance committee is composed of 5 nominees to ensure there is independent oversight. Two are non-medical nominees one of whom is chairperson and serves on the Board of Directors. The objective of the governance committee is to ensure best practice is observed at all times.

The Association on a day-to-day basis is administered by the General Secretary who reports to the Board and does not have voting rights. The General Secretary’s role is to manage the development and implementation of agreed strategies approved by the Board. This includes corporate, membership and risk management goals respectively.

The General Secretary manages the development and implementation of financial budgetary policy and ensures that the Board are promptly informed of any issues which may arise that could impact upon the Association.

Likewise, the General Secretary is responsible for ensuring that the Association’s profile is enhanced by PR initiatives while representing the Association at National and International Bodies as requested by the Board.

Brief History

Main Objectives

Organisational Structure

Current MDCA Officers (2023)

Executive Board (Committee):

Governance Committee: