Ceist:
189 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the payments made to contracted dental surgeons in view of correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25468/01]
Written Answers. - Dental Surgeons.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:192 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement regarding fees for contracted dental surgeons; and if he will address the concerns of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8. [25487/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 192 together.
Primary dental care services to eligible adults are provided by private practitioners under the dental treatment services scheme, DTSS.
The scale of fees paid to contracted private practitioners for dental treatment provided under the scheme is agreed between my Department and the Irish Dental Association, IDA, and take account of movements in corresponding rates under the dental treatment benefit scheme, DTBS, the equivalent social insurance scheme administered by the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs.
A fee increase of 6.6% was recently awarded by the DSCFA to private practitioners participating in the DTBS. The IDA has lodged a claim at the Health Services Employers Agency for the application of this increase to the DTSS and this claim will be considered by my Department in the coming weeks.