Michael Lowry
Question:81 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Health if the country's health boards are in compliance with their statutory obligation to provide a national dental service.
Written Answers. - Provision of National Dental Service.
Difficulties are being experienced by certain health boards in providing routine dental services for adult medical card holders. I am addressing this issue in the context of the National Health Strategy which will be completed by the end of this year.
Difficulties are also being experienced by certain boards in providing orthodontic services and while the appointment of consultant orthodontists has significantly improved the capacity of the health boards to provide such services further improvements are necessary. Additional funds were provided for this purpose this year and further developments are provided for in the Programme for Government.
Services for schoolchildren are of good standard in almost all areas. The systematic targeting of services at specific classes in national school ensures the delivery of services in an equitable and cost-effective way.
As I have said previously the dental services are a vital part of the health services and will be an important feature of the National Health Strategy.