John McGuinness
Question:108 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the dental care the State will provide to students or those over 14 years of age who have no private or public health cover. [8305/01]
Written Answers. - Dental Service.
The provision of dental treatment services to eligible persons is the statutory responsibility of the health boards.
Under the Health Act, 1970, and the Health (Dental Services for Children) Regulations, 2000, children who have attended national school retain eligibility to dental treatment up to their 16th birthday. Treatment is provided within the resources available to the health boards.
Primary dental care services to eligible adults, persons aged 16 years or over who have medical card entitlements under the Health Act, 1970, are provided under the dental treatment services scheme. These services are mainly provided by private dental practitioners participating in the DTSS under contract arrangements with health boards.