Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman and the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this issue. In the past year or so in particular, many of my constituents who have a medical card have contacted me regarding their inability to access dental care. It seems that dentists have moved away from medical card patients. Obviously, dentists are overwhelmed by the volume of work they are doing and all dental practices, which do great work, are overloaded with case work. However, an issue has arisen, which is that some dental practices do not have the capacity to take on medical card holders. Right through, people have been ringing my office to say they cannot get a dentist because the dentists no longer take medical cards. I thank the Minister of State for taking this issue. I want to understand why dental practices throughout the country, not just in my area, are moving away from taking on people with a medical card. Those with a medical card can access GP services through their card. The medical card is means-tested and, as such, holders may not have the funds to access serious dental treatment when in crisis or severe pain.

They also want routine dental treatment. This is not only for adults but for young people as well who have to get dental treatment. The Government needs to first of all acknowledge that there is an issue throughout the country with dental practices being unable to take on medical card holders and to understand the reason for this. I am always asking why treatment is not available for this group. The Government needs to forcefully look at this issue which is developing up and down the country. People are travelling long distances to dentists who accept the medical card. It is leading to major anxiety and challenges and storing up problems, even on the routine side of dental treatment. If that is not done properly, it will store up more problems down the line and the Government, through the Department and the HSE, will have to deal with it.

Will the Minister of State acknowledge the crisis and that something needs to be done? We need to understand why dentists have moved away from accepting the medical card. What does the Government or the HSE intend to do to resolve this issue? It is fundamental that everyone is able to access dental treatment whatever his or her income level. We are a republic and we should ensure everybody gets the treatment they deserve, be that acute or routine dental treatment. I ask the Minister of State to acknowledge this issue and see can be done to resolve it. It is a problem in my area and throughout the country.

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