Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of the recent cut backs in dental services to medical card holder; the advice that should be given to persons in urgent need of treatment for gum disease, extraction and so on who are refused free treatment and unable to pay the relevant fees; if alternative help or service is available from community welfare officers, Health Service Executive dental service or elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23881/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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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 the range of treatments available are being prioritised. 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 have been introduced to protect access to emergency dental care for medical card holders and to safeguard services for children and special needs groups. 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.

I wish to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action affecting the Health Service Executive it is not possible for the Executive to supply the specific information concerning the operation of HSE services as requested. If this matter remains of continuing concern to you, however, I would invite you to raise it with me again in due course.