Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 2

Written Answers. - Dental Treatment Service.

Noel Ahern

Question:

131 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health and Children the situation regarding the primary school dental service; if the system has been changed of late; the frequency of general examination of teeth, if annually or every three years; the service provided in this regard; and the changes and reasons for same. [19286/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of dental care is the statutory responsibility of the health boards.

Health boards have adopted a planned targeted approach to the delivery of dental services to national school children. This is to ensure the optimum use of dental resources and equal access for all national school children to the same level of dental care.

Children in specific classes in national school, usually second, fourth and sixth class, are targeted for preventive measures under the school based approach. The children in these classes are screened and referred for treatment as necessary.

The programme has been specifically designed to ensure that children are dentally fit before they leave national school. The screening provided in second, fourth and sixth classes ensures that follow-up appointments for examination, treatment or orthodontic review are made, as necessary, with the dental surgeon in the clinic designated for the particular school.

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.