Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 590: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the justification for the withdrawal of health treatment for dental services under the medical card scheme; if this dental service to medical card holders will be restored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32096/10]

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. There are no plans to reverse these changes.

Under the new measures the range of treatments available are being prioritised. 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. Services for high-risk patients and those requiring exceptional care continue to be available. The remaining care provision is subject to prior approval, which will be required from a clinician in the HSE, who will prioritise for:

High risk and exceptional patients,

Those requiring emergency care, and

Patients who are considered to have greater clinical urgency and/or necessity in receiving care.

Where prior approval is required for the treatment, the HSE Principal Dental Surgeons will apply their professional judgment to determine, in the circumstances, whether or not there is a clinical emergency, and whether or not treatment should therefore be approved. The HSE will also 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.