Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this issue, which has come about following a circular from the HSE dated 26 December 2009. As Deputy McGrath pointed out, the budget provided that expenditure on the scheme this year would be €63 million. There was no consultation with the dental profession. There are four principal dental surgeons in the State and they attempted to engage with the Department and the HSE on the changes they wanted to see implemented but their suggestions were ignored.

There is a total of 1,352 dentists in the State and a large proportion of their patients hold medical cards. They are now not entitled to basic routine dental treatments such as scale and polish, cleaning, fillings and extractions. The new guidelines have been described as "unethical, impossible to operate and a retrograde step in dental care for medical card patients". We have reached the stage where removal of teeth will be the only option available to many dentists. Restorative and preventative treatments had advanced to ensure better quality oral care and oral hygiene for patients. Their general health will be affected by these changes. Will the Minister review the scheme and how it will be implemented? In its new guise, it will not serve patients and it will store up a great deal of trouble down the road. It needs to be addressed and examined to ensure the dental health of patients is protected.

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