Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
363. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to provide the Cork University Dental Hospital with a GMS panel number to enable them to make claims for medical card patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70795/25]
View answerThe Deputy should note in respect of the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), it is currently not possible for Cork University Dental School and Hospital (CUDSH) to hold a DTSS contract directly. The DTSS contract is similar to the General Practitioner contract and is a contract between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and an individual registered dentist. It is not a corporate/company/entity-based contract.
That said, if there was an identified service/patient access need, along with supporting training, education, and graduate capacity, it is possible to explore with the HSE the potential for an expansion of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) already in place to include DTSS type services, with similar fee arrangements.
My Department is in favour of any proposal that expands oral healthcare services. In relative terms, I am aware that Cork has a high number of DTSS contractors compared to other parts of Ireland. An assessment of local demand needs is required to support any proposal via an arrangement with CUDSH.
To commence the wider exploration of such a proposal, discussions are required with the local HSE Integrated Healthcare Area (South West). To progress with this proposal, CUDSH should engage with the HSE and the Department of Health in examining the feasibility and development of such a proposal, which would then ultimately be subject to the normal budgetary process.
Work is continuing through the appropriate processes to explore all options to support CUDSH to deliver on its remit regarding both education and healthcare service provision.
