Vol. 514 No. 3
210 Mr. Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the level of awareness of dental hygiene in the adult population; if there is a need to introduce a national dental screening programme to ensure that the dental health status of the adult population is improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4054/00]
The level of awareness of dental hygiene in the adult population overall is good, with more than 80% claiming to brush their teeth at least once a day according to the last national survey of oral health in adults.
However, oral health awareness tends to be lower among medical card holders, for example, frequency of brushing and regularity of attendance at the dentist, were lower among medical card holders than among those with pay related social insurance.
A new survey of the oral health status of adults is in preparation. This survey will be part of a systematic collection of oral health status information for the whole population including children and special need groups that is being put in place by health boards and the Department of Health and Children in association with the oral health services research centre, University College Cork.
One of the main barriers to maintaining good oral health in the medical card population was lack of access to appropriate dental care. This barrier has been removed with the full implementation of the dental treatment services scheme (DTSS) for medical card holders from 1 January 2000.
