Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dental Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022

Tuesday, 14 June 2022

Ceisteanna (1686, 1687)

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

1686. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the options that are open to medical card holders who are unable to find a dentist who is taking on new patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29960/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Patricia Ryan

Ceist:

1687. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health the options that are open to non-medical card holders who are unable to find a dentist who is taking on new patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29961/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1686 and 1687 together.

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Both I and the Government have been concerned for some time that medical card patients in some parts of the country have been experiencing problems in accessing dental services. The problem became particularly acute over the last couple of years as a significant number of contracted dentists chose to opt out of the DTSS.

I secured an additional €10 million in Budget 2022 to provide for expanded dental health care for medical card holders including the reintroduction of Scale and Polish. To address the concerns of contractors about the viability of the Scheme, I am using an estimated €16 million of an underspend in this year’s estimate allocation (€56 million) to award fee increases across a number of items including fillings and restorations. The combination of these two measures represents an estimated total additional investment of €26 million in the Scheme this year over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021, €40 million.

Following consultation with the Irish Dental Association, these new measures came into effect on 1st May. These measures are designed to address immediate concerns with the Scheme, pending a more substantive reform of dental services to align with the National Oral Health Policy. The HSE will assist anyone still experiencing problems accessing a service under the Scheme.

People who do not hold a medical card can make enquiries directly to any dental practice they wish to access dental care. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual dentist to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Where a dental practice cannot take on new patients, patients should contact other dental practices in or around the area.

In accordance with the Dental Council Code of Practice relating to Professional Behaviour and Ethical Conduct, dentists are required to respond to a dental emergency even if the emergency involves patients who do not normally attend their practice. All patients are eligible for high risk emergency dental care in hospitals.

Question No. 1687 answered with Question No. 1686.
Barr
Roinn