Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the date from which the new restrictions regarding dental services for medical card holders will apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22308/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental treatment to medical cardholders over the age of 16. On 26th April the HSE wrote to dentists working in the DTSS to advise them of changes to the scheme. These changes were effective immediately and were introduced to contain DTSS expenditure at the 2008 level of approximately €63 million. This reflects the decision taken in last December's Budget to achieve overall reductions in public expenditure while providing essential health services to patients. The HSE will monitor the ongoing effect of these changes from a clinical and budgetary perspective. The HSE will also be providing ongoing clinical guidance and advice to individual dentists in relation to the changes to the scheme.