Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
1434. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the reason the medical card scheme does not cover the cost of dental care for 12 to 16-year-olds; and if he has plans to change same. [43053/21]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Dental care for children under 16 is provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE. Emergency care is provided for all children under 16. In addition, targeted screening and prevention is provided for school children at certain dental developmental milestones and for special needs groups.
Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy (2019), sets out Government policy regarding oral health services. Under the Policy, all children up to 16 years will have available to them eight oral healthcare packages consisting of examinations, assessments, advice, prevention interventions, emergency care and referral as appropriate. The packages will be provided in a primary care setting by oral healthcare practitioners contracted by the HSE and will be introduced incrementally.
