Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 1

Written Answers. - Dental Services.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

138 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a medical card holder is entitled to full dental treatment to include replacement dentures if the person is between the ages of 16 and 34 or over the age of 65; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that emergency removal of natural teeth in respect of a 40 year old, for example, is covered in respect of the removal but is not qualified for any assistance with dentures and, therefore, having had his teeth removed must wait until he reaches the age of 65 before receiving dentures; his views on whether this is fair and reasonable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13550/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

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.

Full denture treatment is available under the scheme to all edentulous (no natural teeth) adults. Routine treatment, which includes the provision of partial denture treatment, is currently available under the scheme to persons in the age groups 16 to 34 and 65 years and over.

I will extend routine treatment under the scheme to persons in the 35 to 64 year age group according as the necessary additional resources become available.