Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
731. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the implementation of the national oral health policy, Smile agus Sláinte; the timeline for implementation; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19414/24]
View answerThe National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, sets out a complete transformation of our oral healthcare services and an expansion of the care available for both children and adults. An eight-year implementation time frame was originally envisaged and an implementation plan for the first (2024-2026) phase of rollout is being developed jointly between my Department and the HSE, for consultation and publication in Q3 this year.
The ESRI worked with my Department during the policy development phase to provide indicative costings for the delivery of various interventions under the proposed packages of care for children and adult medical holders, based on the current fees at that time, and it was estimated that the cost of implementing the packages in full would be in the region of €80m.
The roll-out of these packages will take place incrementally over the next number of years. The detail of the packages and the resource requirements will be agreed as part of the implementation process. The progressing of any measures with resource implications will be dependent on the outcome of the normal budgetary process in any given year.
For children, the HSE is developing comprehensive, prevention-focused oral healthcare packages, starting with 0-2 years olds, supported by €4.75m in additional funding made available. These packages will support children to attend a local dentist from birth, to access oral health promotion, routine and emergency care, and oral health evaluation.
For adult medical card holders, the HSE is currently developing the clinical aspects of new packages of preventative care, as the first phase of reform of the medical card scheme.
