Cecilia Keaveney
Question:88 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the criteria necessary to qualify for free dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10699/97]
Written Answers. - Dental Services.
Limerick East): Under the Health Act, 1970, health boards are statutorily obliged to make dental treatment appliances available without charge to certain classes of people.
Those eligible are: persons with full eligibility for health services, i.e. medical card holders and their dependants; children under the age of six years, in respect of dental defects noticed at child health service examinations arranged by health boards; pupils of national schools in respect of dental defects noticed at school health examinations arranged by health boards; other persons who are regarded by the chief executive officers of health boards as being unable to provide these services at their own expense without undue hardship.
Under the Dental Health Action Plan, eligibility for dental services will be extended, on a phased basis, to children who have left national school and are under 16 years of age. The necessary legislation is now in place and regulations have been made extending eligibility to children under 14 years of age.