Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
388. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate the degree to which dental benefit is available through the GMS system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46743/23]
View answerFollowing consultation with the Deputy's office it is understood that the question seeks the description of the dental benefits available under both my Department’s Treatment Benefit scheme and under my colleague the Minister’s for Health’s GMS system. For information relating to the GMS system, I would ask the Deputy to forward his query to my colleague the Minister for Health.
As regards my Department's Treatment Benefit scheme, this a social insurance based scheme which provides free dental and optical services, and assistance towards the provision of audiological appliances and hair replacement products, to people who satisfy certain qualifying conditions, and to their dependent spouses/partners.
Under dental services, my department pays the full cost of an oral examination once a calendar year.
In addition, a payment of €42 is provided towards either:
• a scale and polish
• a periodontal treatment (if clinically necessary)
If the cost of either scale and polish or periodontal treatment is more than €42, the customer must pay the remainder. This is capped at €15 for a scale and polish. There is no cap on the balance charged for periodontal treatment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
