Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1732. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if there are ongoing discussions with stakeholders from the independent dental sector to address any concerns that they have regarding accepting medical card patients for dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18034/23]
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 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.
Officials in my Department engaged with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) prior to the introduction in May last year of a package of measures 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.
The Chief Dental Officer and other officials in the Department of Health met with the IDA on 29 July 2022 and 2 December 2022 to discuss implementation of the National Oral Health Policy. I look forward to meeting the IDA on 24th April to discuss a number of issues including dental services for medical card holders.
