Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
369. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 565 of 23 June 2020, the PPE agreement, including the costs, between the HSE and an association (details supplied) on 8 May 2020 for dentists operating the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13716/20]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Fees paid to dentists under the DTSS are set out in the Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Registered Dentists) Regulations 2009 and the Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Registered Dentists) Regulations 2012.
I understand that there are reports that medical card holders may have been refused access to treatment by a small number of dentists with DTSS contracts. The Chief Dental Officer in my Department is urgently pursuing the matter with the HSE National Oral Health Office to seek to ensure that no patients are left without a service.
I am aware that a number of dental contractors have given notice of their intention to withdraw from the DTSS but I would hope that those dentists would continue to honour their ethical and contractual obligations to patients during the notice withdrawal period to either provide a service or ensure that patients are referred to a neighbouring dentist who will provide a service.
I would also expect due process to be followed in respect of any withdrawal from the terms of a DTSS contract, in particular regarding an appropriate period of notice.
The cost of PPE should not be a key determinant in decisions on the treatment of patients. The Dental Council advises that dentists should take a case by case assessment when deciding if additional PPE is warranted. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has advised that regular PPE, which has always been used, is generally sufficient for routine dentistry.
My understanding is that a small number of dentists had applied to the HSE for PPE until early May when the volume of requests increased. My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is examining the issue of the provision of PPE across all parts of the health service, including health service contractors. I am not aware of any agreement between the HSE and the Irish Dental Association in this regard.
In order to support small, medium and larger businesses that are negatively impacted by COVID-19 a suite of Government measures is in place. These include a Restart grant for which application can be made online to local authorities and a Return to Work Safely Protocol designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Health and Safety Authority also provides information and advice for employers and employees in this regard.
