Marian McGennis
Ceist:23 Ms M. McGennis asked the Minister for Health and Children the consideration, if any, he will give to amending the entitlements of medical card holders over the age of 34 to include full dental cover. [5675/98]
Written Answers. - Dental Services.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:43 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the proposals, if any, there are in relation to the development of the dental services; the reasons for the delay in extending the service to qualifying adults in all age categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5804/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 43 together.
I will continue to develop the dental services in accordance with the Dental Health Action Plan.
The action plan provides for the extention of dental treatment to all adults with medical card entitlement on a phased basis under the dental treatment services scheme.
In the initial phase of the scheme, which commenced on 1 November, 1994, emergency dental treatment was made available to all adults. Routine dental treatment and priority full denture treatment was made available to persons 65 years of age or older.
Under the second phase of the scheme, which commenced on 1 June 1996, routine dental treatment was extended to persons in the 16-34 year age group and full denture treatment was extended to all edentulous persons.
All health boards also operate a priority waiting list for dental treatment for medically compromised persons who are given priority irrespective of age on production of a letter from their general medical practitioner.
I will extend routine treatment under the scheme to persons in the 25 to 64 year age group according as the necessary additional resources are available.