Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 July 2025
367. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to expand access to the orthodontic scheme for children and strengthen the School Dental Programme. [36859/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, the HSE Oral Healthcare Service aims to provide an oral examination and necessary treatment for children at up to three intervals, targeting ages approximating to second and sixth class and, in some cases, fourth class. Emergency care is provided for children of all ages up to 16.
The current child oral health examination programme delivered by HSE clinics has been impacted by capacity challenges in recent years. The HSE is working to support access to this current model of care, while substantive service reform proceeds through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP). There are currently 34.7 whole-time equivalent posts vacant across the oral healthcare grades in the HSE, which the HSE is working to fill. In Budget 2025, an additional €2m in funding, increasing to €4m in 2026, was provided to continue implementation of the NOHP and support recruitment of 15 additional HSE oral healthcare staff nationally to deliver oral healthcare in our community, including supporting children to access the current primary school programme of routine check-ups.
The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have the greatest level of need and have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Referrals for HSE orthodontic assessment are made at the sixth-class oral health assessment appointment, if the dentist determines that the child may meet the HSE's criteria. Children whose treatment need is assessed by a HSE orthodontist as being in Grade 4 or Grade 5 of the Index are offered treatment through the HSE. No medical card is required for this treatment.
There has been significant investment of €17m between 2022 and 2024 to support access to children’s orthodontic treatment. This funding has seen the creation of a new initiative supporting access to jaw surgery for orthodontic patients and the transfer of over 4000 patients into private, community-based orthodontic treatment. These successful initiatives are being continued this year through the provision of €2.85 million in funding nationally. Through this initiative, in 2025, 128 patients have been transferred to private orthodontic care and 33 patients have received jaw surgery as part of their orthodontic treatment.
In the longer-term, the NOHP sets out a complete transformation of oral healthcare services and expansion of the care available for both children and adults. Under the new model of care which is in development by the HSE, families will be able to access free, age-appropriate oral healthcare for their children, at a dental practice of their choosing in their local community which holds a contract with the HSE. Children will be able to attend for care starting from birth and continuing regularly throughout their childhood. This will mirror how families currently access free GP care for their children.
An implementation plan for the first phase of policy implementation to end-2027 is being finalised and contains development of new services for children and for adults as among the initial priorities.
