Róisín Shortall
Ceist:518. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce waiting lists for dental services, both public and private; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3859/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 January 2024
Ceisteanna (518)
Freagraí scríofa
I am committed to fundamentally reforming dental services through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, as well as addressing immediate difficulties patients are experiencing in accessing oral healthcare services.
The Policy highlights the need for strategic workforce planning, to ensure a sufficient number of appropriately trained oral healthcare professionals, to include dentists, dental hygienists, dental nurses and other auxiliary grades. I support the creation of additional capacity in higher education, including in oral healthcare. The Higher Education Authority is undertaking a process to identify a set of options to achieve this important step towards health workforce sustainability for Ireland.
Additional investment in oral healthcare services last year enabled the HSE to deal with backlogs in the HSE Public Dental Service which provides services to children. The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), which provides services to adult medical card holders, also experienced an increase in activity in 2023. An additional 154,864 treatments were provided with over 26,700 extra unique patients treated when compared with 2022. This follows the expansion of the Scheme in 2022 to include additional prevention treatments and a 40-60% increase in fees paid to dentists across most treatment items.
Orthodontic patients are also benefitting from additional investment. Under a private procurement initiative 2,154 patients were transferred into private care in 2023. For orthodontic patients who require surgical input, the HSE is developing a model of care for oral and maxillofacial surgery through the National Clinical Programme for Surgery. In 2023 surgery was procured for 41 patients waiting over 4 years for jaw surgery, which requires a lengthy hospital stay.
Officials in my Department will continue to work with the HSE to continue to reduce waiting lists and ensure the implementation of necessary reforms.