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Dental Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Questions (504)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

504. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the large backlog in school dental visits for schools across the country since the pandemic; if he has met with the HSE in relation to this matter; the provisions in Budget 2022 that will go towards addressing this backlog; the way he will ensure that the most vulnerable children will have access to dental treatment despite some private dentists not taking on medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58285/21]

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Written answers

Dental care for children under 16 is currently 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.

Unfortunately the Covid pandemic has impacted the provision of services across all areas of the health service and difficult decisions have had to be made on ensuring that priority is given to those with the most urgent need of care. It is also the case that a proportion of the HSE dental workforce has had to be diverted towards the burden of PCR testing and Vaccination throughout the pandemic and the need for such valuable trained staff to continue to support the pandemic remains a necessity; and I want to commend them for that.

Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy (2019), sets out Government policy regarding oral health services. It will involve a fundamental re-alignment of how oral health services are provided. 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. Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders will be required to ensure progress.

Over €22 billion is being provided in the Budget 2022 for all health services, including the Public Dental Service. I am satisfied that this global allocation provides sufficient resources to enable the HSE to put in place waiting lists initiatives for priority cases and to support the provision of oral health services for children and the vulnerable during the pandemic.

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