asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of complaints received by his Department in the past three years from insured persons regarding dental treatment received.
Written Answers. - Dental Services.
321.
No record is kept of complaints made by insured persons regarding the dental treatment received by them under my Department's dental benefit scheme. Experience indicates however that in any year the number of complaints received would not exceed 30.
322.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the measures his Department take to ensure that the dental treatment received by injured persons corresponds to the treatment approved by his Department.
A chart listing the treatment proposed is completed by the dentist in respect of each insured person claiming dental benefit under the Social Welfare Acts. This is then examined in my Department and, if approved, the dentist is informed that he may proceed with the treatment.
When the specified treatment has been carried out the insured person signs a declaration to the effect that it has been completed to his satisfaction.
If the insured person makes any complaint or if my Department have any doubt as to the treatment proposed or carried out, the insured person is referred for a second opinion to an examining dentist who is invariably a senior member of the dental profession.