Billy Timmins
Ceist:102 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children his Department's policy in relation to dental care for primary school children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1869/99]
Vol. 499 No. 1
102 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children his Department's policy in relation to dental care for primary school children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1869/99]
Under section 67 of the 1970 Health Act pre-school and national school children are eligible for health board dental services in respect of defects noted at child health examinations.
Dental treatment services for children in national schools are being developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. 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 led 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.