Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2023
218. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the incentives in place to encourage dental practices to take part in the dental treatment services scheme, particularly with regard to rural communities where there will be a lower density of dental practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9005/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Since May 1st 2022, there has been additional prevention treatments included and a 40-60% increase in fees across most treatment items. This has led to an increase in the numbers of treatments provided and the number of patients being seen.
I am aware that there are some towns with no or limited DTSS dentists that have sufficient capacity to accept new patients. Where access to a dentist is difficult, local HSE services assist patients who make enquires and make lists of DTSS contractors available to medical card holders. In exceptional circumstances, the HSE assists patients to access emergency dental treatment by directly contacting private contractors or arranging treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.
An additional allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. This includes €5 million allocated on a one-off basis to support the HSE Public Dental Service to provide care this year, including through a HSE ‘safety-net’ service for adult medical card holders who are in need of emergency care and are still having difficulty accessing a local dentist.
The Government recognises that substantive reform of the DTSS is required, as set out in the National Oral Health Policy. My Department is working closely with the HSE to ensure the establishment of focused implementation structures to drive implementation of the Policy. Resources will be provided for new clinical leadership and reform leadership posts. These implementation structures will help to substantively reform the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages. While it will take a number of years to bring reform to complete fruition, there will be an early emphasis in implementation on addressing the current issues, including the reform of the provision of services for medical card holders.
