Skip to main content
Normal View

Dental Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2021

Tuesday, 12 October 2021

Questions (638, 651)

Duncan Smith

Question:

638. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the status of and position regarding the dental treatment services scheme with specific reference to the unsustainable trend of dentists exiting the scheme leaving medical card holders without dental treatment cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49791/21]

View answer

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

651. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists who have left the dental treatment services scheme for medical card holders since the start of the pandemic; the basis on which they are leaving; the efforts his Department is taking to address the current impasse which has resulted in many medical card patients unable to obtain a dental appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49917/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 638 and 651 together.

These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Approximately 1,200 contracted dentists provide oral healthcare to medical card holders under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). From March 2020 until mid-August 2021, approximately 250 dentists left the Scheme. The HSE advise that dentists have been leaving the Scheme for a range of reasons and that dentists are also applying to join the Scheme. The HSE will assist anyone experiencing problems accessing a service.

The approach to future oral health service provision will be aligned with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy (2019). The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.

The current DTSS is based on outdated approaches from the 1990s and is no longer suitable. I am committed to ensuring the sustainability of the DTSS, but recognise that it needs to be aligned with the best international evidence and practice, as outlined in the new Policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the roll-out of the National Oral Health Policy to be delayed, and the proposed review of the DTSS contract to be deferred. Officials in my Department and from the HSE are currently engaging with the Irish Dental Association on matters relating to the provision of services under the DTSS.

Top
Share