Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 2

Written Answers. - Dental Service.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

49 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the fact that 12.9 per cent of eligible medical card holders received routine dental treatment in 1998; the increase in funding which is required to provide a full service to all those eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18237/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The uptake in 1998 for the approved age cohorts under the dental treatment services scheme was as follows:

Age Group	% Uptake	Emergency	Routine
16-34	20%	13%
65+	10%	13.7%

International experience points to a lower participation rate in State dental schemes among the lower socio-economic groups. The number of dentists participating in the scheme should allow gradual increases in patient uptake over the next three years. The level of uptake will be monitored by the health boards and my Department and the necessary additional funding will be made available in line with changes in uptake levels.