asked the Minister for Social Welfare if his attention has been drawn to the remarks made by the President of the Irish Dental Association on 28th April as to the appallingly low acceptance rate of the dental benefits available under the social welfare system; and whether he will consider taking steps, by propaganda or other means, to encourage the general public to avail themselves more freely of these services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental Benefits.
21.
I have seen the newspaper reports of the remarks referred to by the Deputy. Each new entrant into insurance is supplied with a copy of a leaflet which sets out, in brief, all the benefits available under the Social Welfare Acts and the Department utilises every suitable opportunity of acquainting insured persons of the benefits to which they are entitled under these Acts. I have no reason to believe that insured persons generally are not aware of the availability of dental treatment.