Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
371. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 565 of 23 June 2020, his plans to engage with dentists on the dental treatment services scheme contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13718/20]
View answer455. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health his plans to engage with an organisation (details supplied) on a review of the DTSS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13077/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 371 and 455 together.
Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, which was published in April 2019, provides the groundwork to transform oral health services over the next eight years.
The Policy has two key goals:-
- to provide the supports to enable every individual to achieve their personal best oral health.
- to reduce oral health inequalities across the population, by enabling vulnerable groups to access oral healthcare and improve their oral health.
The Policy includes proposals for the introduction of packages of oral healthcare for adult medical card holders (i.e. over 16 years) at different intervals during their life course. The packages will focus on prevention and will include examinations, advice, and preventive therapies such as scale and polish, fissure sealants, and fluoride therapy as well as one filling. Routine care including additional fillings and complex care will continue to be available in addition to the preventative packages of care.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), which currently provides a range of dental treatments to medical card holders will need to be revised in order to align it with modern evidence on oral health needs and provision of dental services. My Department is committed to reviewing the provision of dental care for those eligible for public services and will engage with the Irish Dental Association in this regard.
