Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 6

Written Answers. - Dental Health Plan.

Chris Flood

Question:

77 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Health the progress, if any, that has been achieved in the implementation of the dental health action plan launched by his immediate predecessor in May 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3490/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): 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. There will be a significant increase in manpower.

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.

A new Dublin dental hospital and school.

Considerable progress has been made in implementing the action plan as follows:

—The dental treatment services scheme commenced on 1 November 1994. In the initial phase of the scheme emergency dental treatment was made available to all adults with medical card entitlement. Routine dental treatment and priority full denture treatment was made available to persons 65 years of age or older with medical card entitlement. Since the introduction of the scheme waiting lists for dental treatment for medical card holders aged 65 years and over have been eliminated. It is my intention to introduce the second phase of the scheme on 1 April 1996. Under the second phase routine dental treatment will be extended to persons with medical card entitlement in the 16-34 year age group and full denture treatment will now be extended to all edentulous persons with medical card entitlement. A total of £8.8 million is provided for the dental treatment services scheme in 1996.

—Legislation to enable me to extend eligibility to children under 16 is now in place. I have already extended eligibility to those under 14 years of age.

—Additional funding in excess of £3 million is now being provided to health boards on an annual basis for the development of children's dental services.

—An additional £1.65 million is now being provided to health boards on an annual basis for the development of orthodontic services.

—Approval has issued for the recruitment of over 140 additional staff.

—Funding has now been provided to the Mid-Western and Western Health Boards to establish consultant oral surgery services in their regions.

—Capital funding in excess of £4 million has been provided to health boards for the improvement of dental facilities and flouridation plant.

—Planning for the building and equipping of a new Dublin dental school and hospital is at a very advanced stage.