Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the fact that she is providing medical cards for people over 70 years which also covers dental care excluding cosmetic, the reason this medical card only covers root canal fillings on front teeth and not back teeth as same could not be considered cosmetic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24029/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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A range of dental services for adult medical card holders are available under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) from participating dentists holding contracts with Health Service Executive (HSE). The treatments provided include examinations, fillings, extractions, dentures and x-rays. The scheme is administered by the HSE — Primary Care Reimbursement Service on behalf of the HSE and it is monitored at a local level by Principal Dental Surgeons with a regional responsibility for the DTSS.

A DTSS Review Group has been established to undertake a comprehensive review of Primary Care Oral Health Services provided under the DTSS. Represented on the Review Group are the HSE, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Department of Finance, the Irish Dental Association and the HSE Employers Agency. The schedule of services provided for under the DTSS will be examined as part of the review, as well as monitoring and evaluation procedures.