Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 5

Written Answers. - Dental Service.

Avril Doyle

Ceist:

220 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Health the number of children receiving the school dental service in each health board area for each year from 1987 to 1993; and the number of times each child will see the school dentist during primary school in each health board area.

Avril Doyle

Ceist:

221 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the number of school children being treated under the dental service provided by the health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together. For the past number of years Health Boards have been progressively adopting a planned targeted approach to the delivery of dental services to national school children and phasing out a demand lead system. This is to ensure the optimum use of dental resources and equal access for all national school children to the same level of dental care.

The school based approach puts an important emphasis on dental health education and prevention. Dental health education programmes are now available to all national schools. Children in specific classes are targeted for preventive measures under the school based approach. The children in these classes are screened, and referred for treatment as necessary. The provision of fissure sealants for vulnerable teeth is an important element of the preventive programme. The programme has been specifically designed to ensure that children are dentally fit before they leave national school.

The small number of children who require more frequent attention are identified and the required level of advice, check-ups, treatment etc. is provided as necessary.

An emergency service for acute conditions requiring immediate attention is available on demand.

Statistics available to my Department show that the number of children treated in the years referred to by the Deputy were as follows: 1987, 330,000; 1988, 350,000; 1989, 207,000; 1990, 247,000; 1991, 260,000 (currently being finalised); 1992, n/a (being collected).

Reductions in the number of children treated since 1988 is considered to be attributable to a decline in the prevalence of dental caries in the school population, a fall in the school population and the success of preventive approach adopted by the Department and the Health Boards to the provision of dental care.

Avril Doyle

Ceist:

222 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Health the extra resources, if any, he will provide to the health boards to enable them to respond to the extension of child dental services to 14 years old.

Avril Doyle

Ceist:

223 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Health if eligibility for service will enable all children up to 14 years old to receive a dental service in each health board area.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.

The extension of eligibility for dental services to children, initially to those up to age 14, is being implemented as part of the package of provisions for the development of the dental services contained in the Programme for a Partnership Government.

A sum of £2 million is being provided in 1993 towards the implementation of these provisions. These additional resources will enable each health board to fully implement the planned targeted approach to the delivery of dental services to all eligible children. This approach aims to examine all children in specific classes and to provide treatment where necessary. It ensures the optimum use of dental resources and that all children have equal access to the same level of care.

Avril Doyle

Ceist:

224 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will transfer the adult general medical service card dental service to private dentists to enable the health boards to deliver an adequate and comprehensive child based service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Avril Doyle

Ceist:

225 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for Health the costs involved in transferring all the adult general medical service card dental service to private dentists.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.

Dental services for adults with medical card eligibility are currently provided by health boards through the board's dental services or through the choice of dentists scheme. Under the choice of dentist scheme private dental practitioners provide services for eligible persons in accordance with ad hoc arrangements made with the local health board.

The Programme for a Partnership Government contains provisions for the development of the service provision to adults. All newly-qualified dentists will provide one year of community vocational service to the public dental services. This will significantly improve the existing service provision and reduce adult waiting lists.

The process to put the necessary framework in place for the introduction of vocational training for dental graduates will commence later this year.

It is estimated that it would cost about £20 million per annum to operate a choice of dentist scheme for all adults with medical card eligibility.