Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too acknowledge the comments of my friend and colleague, Senator O'Donovan, and wish him all the best in the future.

I raise the issue of the plight of adult medical card holders and their difficulties in getting dental care and treatment. It is believed that last year, one quarter of participating dentists left the medical card scheme.As a result of that, there are many towns throughout the country that have very few if any dentists participating in the adult medical card scheme for patients.

The dental treatment services scheme covers basic dental care like examinations, extractions and two free fillings per year. Other forms of treatment are possible, provided there is prior approval given by the Department of Health. In recent years, we have been made aware of the importance of good dental and oral health to other aspects of health so it is vital one's oral and dental care is looked after to the best standard. Dentists say they have left the scheme because it does not pay them anymore and is actually costing them money. Unfortunately, the net result is that the most vulnerable, those adults with medical cards, are losing out in relation to dental care and maybe even in relation to general healthcare. I ask the Deputy Leader to write to the Minister for Health and ask that the Department engage substantially with the dentists to find a resolution. Many of them are leaving the scheme, resulting in vulnerable adults losing out in relation to dental healthcare.