Shane Ross (Independent)

I oppose the measure. The threatened abolition of the scheme affects two groups of people. Those who support the measure tend to paint dentists as some sort of fat cats, which is not necessarily true, and do not consider the problems it will present for patients. I do not know what the figures are but from listening I gather that some 2 million people can take advantage of this. This will lead to serious dental problems for those who cannot afford dental treatment. Dentists are very expensive and many people will not go to dentists as a result. The dental health of the nation will suffer as a result. Some of the figures have already been quoted. Of the 2 million insured, 400,000 availed of a free check-up. That is a lethal measure to lose. Some 466,000 people availed of the free scale and polish at a total cost to the State of €16 million. It is not a major sum. This is now to be abolished. In 2008 some 500,000 fillings were paid for under this scheme which is to be abolished. The cost to the State was €18 million. Some 93,000 extractions were paid for in 2008 at a total cost to the State of €3.3 million. These are small savings and people will suffer as a result. The extraction element is to be abolished as well. Some 90,000 people had dentures treatment under this scheme and the total cost to the State was €2.5 million. We are considering abolishing a benefit and a cost benefit analysis is not certain to show it will pay.

Dentists are often regarded as easy targets because people think it is not a problem if one hits dentists. Hitting dentists involves hitting patients and represents a double whammy. I do not understand the thinking behind the attack on oral health. This encourages the neglect of people's teeth because they cannot afford to pay for some of these measures that are free under this scheme. I beg the Minister to think of this as a false saving. In the long term I am not sure there will be savings. The thinking behind these cuts is that it will look right in the budget figures now but it will not look right in five years' time.