Vol. 460 No. 3
171 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each health board area treated under the choice of dentists scheme; the number of persons under 65 years treated in each health board area under this scheme; the number over 65 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1039/96]
Limerick East): Under the dental treatment services scheme which was introduced by my Department on 1 November 1994 dental treatment will be extended to all adults with medical card eligibility on a phased basis.
In the initial phasing of the scheme persons aged 65 years and over have been identified as a priority group and additional resources have been made available to health boards to enable them to provide dental treatment including denture treatment for this group. In addition emergency dental treatment for the relief of pain is available under the dental treatment services scheme to all medical card holders irrespective of age.
According to information supplied by the GMS (Payments) Board the following number of eligible persons have been treated under the dental treatment services scheme:
|
Health Board |
Under 65 years |
Over 65 Years |
Totals |
|
Eastern |
23,882 |
4,854 |
28,736 |
|
Midland |
5,706 |
1,863 |
7,569 |
|
Mid-Western |
7,581 |
3,191 |
10,772 |
|
North-Eastern |
7,402 |
1,542 |
8,944 |
|
North-Western |
4,709 |
1,665 |
6,374 |
|
South-Eastern |
10,750 |
4,366 |
15,116 |
|
Southern |
12,901 |
4,879 |
17,780 |
|
Western |
6,800 |
4,133 |
10,933 |
|
Total |
79,731 |
26,493 |
106,224 |
