Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:133. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of a reversal of FEMPI fee cuts for dentists. [21329/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 16 May 2019
Ceisteanna (133)
Freagraí scríofa
The cost of providing treatment under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) was €58.8 million in 2018. The estimated additional cost of providing the same number and range of services at the pre-FEMPI rates would be approximately €2.5 million.
Regarding future dental services, the new National Oral Health Policy, "Smile agus Sláinte" includes proposals for the introduction of packages of care for children from birth to 16 years of age to be delivered by contracted local dental practices. It also proposes preventive packages of care to be made available for all eligible adults at different intervals during their life course. The Department of Health intends to progress the development of appropriate contractual proposals on the part of the Department and the HSE to be followed in due course by a process of engagement with the dental profession.