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Medical Cards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2021

Wednesday, 1 December 2021

Questions (175, 193, 194)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

175. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to instances in which dentists are blanket refusing to see medical card patients; and the efforts his Department is undertaking to solve this problem. [59162/21]

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Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

193. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the expected timeframe the substantive review of the dental treatment services scheme will take place; the immediate issues of concern; the measures taken to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59313/21]

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Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

194. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the engagements he has had with an association (detail supplied) regarding the dental treatment services scheme; the content of these discussions, detailing any future planned engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59314/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 175, 193 and 194 together.

A new National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, was launched in April 2019. That Policy set out the roadmap for the future provision of oral healthcare to the eligible population. It has two key goals; first, to provide the supports to enable every individual to achieve their best oral health, and second, to reduce oral health inequalities across the population, by enabling vulnerable groups to access oral healthcare and improve their oral health.

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), which dates from the 1990s is available to medical card holders aged 16 and over. The dental care is provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. There is a need to align the DTSS with best international evidence and practice, and legislation, as outlined in Smile agus Sláinte. Regretfully, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the roll-out of the Policy to be delayed and the proposed review of the DTSS contract to be deferred.

Nevertheless, there has been continued engagement between my officials, the HSE and the dental community throughout the pandemic on infection control measures, guidelines for safe dental practice, and ensuring that dental professionals were included in the high-risk group for early vaccination. This sustained engagement was with a view to ensuring that a safe satisfactory service could be continued for the eligible population.

It is regrettable that a significant number of dentists chose to leave the Scheme that provides care for medical card patients during the pandemic, which  has led to difficulties for medical card patients in accessing dental care in some parts of the country . In such circumstances, I have been assured that the HSE Public Dental Service is seeking to provide emergency cover for any medical card patients who are experiencing such problems.

I have acknowledged that there is a need for a substantive review of the DTSS and have given a commitment that the review would be undertaken. I have also acknowledged the need to address immediate issues of concern with current arrangements under the Scheme.

I instructed my officials to hold talks with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) to address both issues. I am aware that preliminary talks were held in June this year and that it is proposed to hold further talks in the coming weeks.

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