asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider his decision not to reimburse medical cardholders who, through no fault of their own, have had to seek dental treatment from outside the health service and who, in many cases, have been obliged to pay costs which they cannot afford.
Written Answers. - Dental Treatment Eligibility.
200.
The Deputy is aware that there is a shortage of dentists in Ireland, as in virtually all other countries. Within the constraints imposed by this manpower shortage health boards arrange dental services for eligible patients on the basis of agreed priorities. This system makes the best possible use of available dental manpower, whether in the public dental service or in private practice. I am satisfied that any arrangement to reimburse eligible patients for dental services obtained from private practitioners without prior authorisation from the health board would tend to operate to the detriment of priority groups. Consequently as I have already informed the Deputy I would not feel justified in authorising the introduction of such an arrangement.