Vol. 473 No. 4
186 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether routine dental treatment is available to the children of medical card holders who are in second-level education and are between 14 and 16 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1638/97]
187 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the entitlements to dental health of second-level students between the ages of 14 and 16 whose parents do not have a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1639/97]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.
188 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the entitlements to dental treatment of medical card holders and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1640/97]
Limerick East): Under the health Acts, medical card holders and their dependants are entitled to dental treatment services provided by the health boards.
The Dental Health Action Plan, which is being implemented on a phased basis, provides for the extension of a comprehensive range of treatments under the dental treatment services scheme to all adults with medical card entitlement. Under Phases I and II of the scheme, which are already in place, treatment is available as follows: emergency dental treatment for the relief of pain or ugent denture repairs is available to all adults; routine dental treatment is available to adults in the age groups 16-34 years of age inclusive and 65 years and over; full upper and or full lower dentures are available to all adults with no natural teeth.
I will extend routine treatment services to other age groups under the scheme as additional resources are available to me.
