Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
417. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some dental practices are advising patients that they are implementing an additional charge in order to cover the cost of personal protective equipment and that some practices are charging patients €18 per visit to cover this cost; and if officials from his Department have raised this matter with an organisation (details supplied). [11786/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra556. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the details of PPE being provided to dental practices nationally; the criteria relative to prioritisation; and the timeline under which PPE will be provided. [12582/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra565. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some dentists have informed medical card patients that they are no longer accepting medical cards as a form of payment due to increased costs associated with PPE and social distancing measures; the rate of payments being made to dentists to treat medical card patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12615/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 417, 556 and 565 together.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Fees paid to dentists under the DTSS are set out in the Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Registered Dentists) Regulations 2009 and the Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to Registered Dentists) Regulations 2012.
I am concerned to hear of instances of medical card holders being refused access to treatment. I would hope that dentists would feel obliged to honour their ethical and contractual obligations to patients, to either provide a service or to refer patients to a neighbouring dentist who will provide a service.
I would also expect that due process is followed in respect of any withdrawal from the terms of a DTSS contract, in particular with regard to an appropriate period of notice.
The cost of PPE should not be a key determinant in decisions on the treatment of patients, as the Health Protection Surveillance Centre has advised that regular PPE, which has always been used, is generally sufficient for routine dentistry. This is supported by the Dental Council which has indicated that dentists should take a case by case assessment when deciding if additional PPE is warranted.
My Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is examining the issue of the provision of PPE across all parts of the health service, including health service contractors.
A review of the provision of dental services for those eligible for public services is required in the context of the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, and the issue of fees will be considered in that context.
In relation to social distancing costs, the Government has put in place a suite of measures to support small, medium and larger businesses that are negatively impacted by COVID-19 including a Restart grant for which application can be made on line to local authorities. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has published a Return to Work Safely Protocol, which is designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Health and Safety Authority also provides information and advice for employers and employees in this regard.
My Department has no role in the setting of fees charged by independent dentists to their private patients. The Dental Council has a Code of Practice relating to the display of private fees in dental practices.
