Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
76. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 31 January 2024, for an update on his engagement with persons with intellectual disability and their representative groups, with regard to the availability of dental services for persons with disabilities who are medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9508/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that correspondence from the Galway Advocacy Council was forwarded to me by Minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton T.D., on 25th January 2024 and a response has issued.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. A range of measures were put in place on 1 May 2022 to introduce and reintroduce elements of preventative care and increase the fees paid to dentists for most treatment items by 40-60%. In 2023, 154,864 additional treatments were provided under the DTSS, with over 26,700 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.
Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as dentures, and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and high-risk patients are available subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.
In addition, the HSE Community Dental Service provides care to adults with additional needs who are unable to participate in accessing dental care through the DTSS. Adults with additional needs requiring special care dentistry are those with a condition, disability or activity restriction that directly or indirectly affects their oral health and is impacted by the personal and/or the environmental context of the individual.
Adults with additional needs may be able to access HSE dental services in line with the above and also on the specific consideration of the degree of their disability and its impact on their oral health. Special care adult and child patients are identified as eligible for HSE dental services as follows:
- As they progress through the schools service – Special care oral health needs may be identified
- Referral into the HSE by General Dental Practitioner (GDP) or GP
- Screening residential care facilities by Dental teams
- Direct contact by patient/parent /care giver
In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte. The Policy supports the provision of all levels of care, by appropriate healthcare professionals in the most suitable settings. The HSE's Strategic Reform Lead is driving Policy implementation across the organisation moving forward with developing new services for both adults and children in line with the Policy.
