Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1482. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with representatives of an association (details supplied) in an effort to address the crisis in access to dental and orthodontic care that has emerged in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1412/23]
View answerIt is a top priority for myself and for the Government to improve patient access to oral healthcare services, both in the short term through a range of interim measures, and in the long term through transformational reform of oral healthcare services in Ireland. This reform will be achieved through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy.
The Chief Dental Officer and other officials in the Department of Health met with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) on 29th July 2022 and 2nd December 2022 to discuss implementation of the Policy. In addition, my Department consulted with the IDA on a package of measures introduced from 1 May 2022, to expand the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) for adult medical card holders and increase the fees paid to contractors for most treatment items by 40-60%. The numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS have all increased in recent months.
