Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
109. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the Departmental review of the dental medical card scheme; his plans to alleviate access issues to dentists for medical card holders in the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37698/22]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I have invested an additional €26 million in the Scheme this year over and above what was spent in 2021, €40 million.
This package includes an additional €10 million in Budget 2022 to expand dental health care for medical card holders and reintroduce the Scale and Polish. I am also using an estimated €16 million of an underspend in this year’s estimates allocation (€56 million) to award fee increases across several items.
Following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, these new measures came into effect on 1st May.
These measures are designed to address immediate concerns with the Scheme, pending a more substantive reform of dental services to align with the National Oral Health Policy. The HSE will assist anyone still experiencing problems accessing a service under the Scheme.
I understand that contractors are looking for more substantive reform of the Scheme. It is my intention that this is addressed in the context of the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, which sets out a body of substantial services reform.
Work is underway to design a governance framework to oversee and facilitate root and branch service reform. The Chief Dental Officer in my Department is already engaging with stakeholders on such reform and I understand that she will shortly be meeting with the Irish Dental Association.
