Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
1196. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health the assessments her Department has taken to determine whether the dental treatment service scheme is an effective scheme for medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2842/25]
View answerThe Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides oral healthcare, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. 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, additional fillings 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.
A package of measures was introduced in 2022 to expand the care available under the Scheme and significantly increase the fees paid to contractors. These measures have improved access to care: payments for contractor claims in 2024 show 227,691 additional treatments were provided nationally under the DTSS, with over 44,208 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.
In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming oral healthcare services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile Agus Sláinte. This Government policy aims to radically transform our current oral healthcare service - recognising that we need an entirely new approach to oral healthcare to meet the needs of our population into the future. The policy was informed by considerable evidence inputs including supported by an Oral Health Policy Academic Reference Group, consultations with key stakeholders, considerable feedback from a number of consultations with frontline workers including dentists and auxiliary dental workers, and a comprehensive qualitative research project.
The policy provides a framework to comprehensively reform oral healthcare services, supported by accompanying reforms to legislation, strategic workforce planning and education and training. The new Programme for Government contains commitments to implement the National Oral Health Policy and to reform oral healthcare services for medical card holders. The implementation plan for the first phase of policy implementation, to end-2027, is currently being finalised by my Department and the HSE, following targeted consultation in Q3 last year, and includes reform of services for medical card holders as one of several priority actions.
