Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will instruct the Health Service Executive to withdraw its recent circular 008/10, of 26 April 2010, to dentists which cuts dental services for medical card patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19990/10]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way she expects to achieve savings of €40 million in the dental treatment services scheme for medical card patients; the services that will be withdrawn or reduced for medical card holders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20270/10]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the Health Service Executive regarding the cuts to dental services for medical card patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19992/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 83, 98 and 126 together.

The Government's decision to limit the funding available to the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) was made in view of the current position of the public finances and the 60% increase in expenditure in the DTSS over the past five years. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has introduced measures to contain DTSS expenditure at the 2008 level of approximately €63 million.

Under the new measures, some treatments which had previously been available in the Scheme, for example, dental cleaning and polishing have been suspended. Other treatments, such as oral examinations and fillings, will continue to be provided but will be limited in number or frequency. More complex, non-routine treatments, such as protracted periodontal treatments, will be available only in the case of clinical emergencies. These measures were introduced following consultation with my Department. The HSE will monitor the ongoing effect of these changes from a clinical and budgetary perspective. The dental and oral health services currently provided through the HSE Public Dental Service will not be affected by these changes to the DTSS.