Vol. 576 No. 5
359 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the benefits that are available under the General Medical Services Scheme, with reference to dental work and provision of dentures in particular; the limits and restrictions that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30144/03]
A range of dental services for adult medical card holders are available under the dental treatment services scheme from participating dentists holding contracts with health boards. The treatments provided include examinations, prophylaxis, fillings, extractions, dentures and x-rays.
In 2002 my Department provided an additional €6.166 million ongoing funding to the health boards and an authority for the DTSS to meet an increased uptake. This year once-off funding of €3.08 million was made available.
The scheme is administered by the GMS payments board on behalf of boards. It is monitored at a local level by principal dental surgeons with a regional responsibility for the DTSS. The guideline time for replacing dentures is every five years. The time limit may vary by agreement with the principal dental surgeon in exceptional circumstances.
The Health (Amendment) (No 3) Act 1996 is known as accountability legislation. It contains a number of statutory provisions for the income and expenditure of health boards. In effect, health boards or an authority are statutorily obliged to deliver a level of service consistent with their approved allocations. It is a matter for the health boards or an authority to agree their budgets for the DTSS.
