Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - Dental Treatment Services Scheme.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

115 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health whether free dental treatment is to be extended to medical card holders; if so, the way in which the scheme will operate; whether persons eligible have to apply to the health board for treatment or whether they will go directly to their own dentist; whether there will be a panel of dentists participating in the scheme as in the case of doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14361/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The dental treatment services scheme was introduced by my Department on 1 November 1994. Under this scheme dental treatment is being extended, on a phased basis, to all adults with medical card entitlement.

There are three elements to the scheme.

1. Emergency dental treatment to relieve pain is available to all adults with medical card entitlement. Each health board has a panel of private dental practitioners who are under contract to provide emergency dental treatment services to medical card holders on behalf of the health board. A medical card holder who is in pain can make arrangements with a dentist on the health board's panel of dentists to receive emergency treatment.

2. Routine treatment is being phased in for the identified priority groups. Treatment is provided through health board dental clinics and by private dental practitioners on the health board's dental panel.

Since 1 June 1996, routine treatment is available to persons with medical card entitlement in the following age groups: 16-34 years of age (inclusive); 65 years and over.

Persons requiring routine treatment make application to the health board.

Routine treatment will be extended at a later stage to other age groups on a phased basis.

3. Full dentures are available for all edentulous medical card holders. Persons requiring this treatment make application to the health board. This treatment is mainly provided at health board dental clinics.