Vol. 519 No. 6
65 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will outline the main findings of the recent review of the dental service, undertaken by his Department; if it is now planned to extend free dental care to all medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14519/00]
The review found that since the introduction of the dental treatment service scheme in 1994 a large section of the population for whom little or no treatment was available in the past had relatively easy access to dental care. In general the scheme was providing an equitable, quality service for medical card holders in compliance with the Department's health strategy. The review recommended that a number of structures and processes designed to improve accountability and therefore better performance and outcomes needed to be put in place.
With the agreement of the Irish Dental Association revised procedures designed to improve access, probity and accountability under the scheme are being implemented. I have since extended treatment under the scheme to all adults with medical card entitlements. I have made additional funding available to all health boards in their ongoing allocations to fund this extension of services to persons aged 35 to 64 years.
The review also recommended the appointment of additional staff at the GMS (Payments) Board with dedicated roles ensuring probity in the operation of the scheme. These recommendations will be discussed by my Department with the board.
The review recommends that a process should begin to bring together the administration of the dental treatment services scheme and the dental treatment benefit scheme. Some initial discussions have taken place between my Department and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs in this regard.
