Seán Power
Question:167 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Health his strategy for improving dental health in Ireland. [1002/96]
Written Answers. - Dental Health Strategy.
Limerick East): The dental services are being developed and improved in accordance with the Dental Health Action Plan. This action plan was developed in line with the National Health Strategy as set out in the document “Shaping a Healthier Future — A Strategy for Effective Healthcare in the 1990's”.
The Dental Health Action Plan provides for the setting of oral health goals and the improvement of oral health promotion and preventive programmes including substantial capital investment in the national fluoridation programme. A significant enhancement of the public dental services through a more clearly defined role for health board dentists concentrating to a large extent on oral health care and services for children. The extension of eligibility to children under 16 years of age. The improvement of secondary care orthodontic services through the recruitment of additional consultant orthodontists and support staff.
The expansion of hospital based oral surgery services through the appointment of additional consultant oral surgeons and support staff. The introduction of new arrangements for the provision of adult dental services with the participation of private dental practitioners. Health board dentists are entitled to participate in these arrangements. The provision of services for adults will be phased in on the basis of age cohorts. A programme to provide full dentures to edentulous medical card holders. This programme will be phased in on the basis of age cohorts. An emergency service will be available to all medical card holders on demand. A new Dublin Dental Hospital and School. I am arranging to send to the Deputy a copy of the documents mentioned above.