Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 486: To ask the Minister for Health his plans to include free or discounted cleaning and scaling dental care for persons who are in receipt of the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24590/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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In 2010 the HSE introduced a number of measures, including the suspension of prophylaxis treatment, to contain expenditure in the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), which provides free dental services to medical card patients. Given the current difficult position of the public finances, the budget for the DTSS has been capped at the 2008 level of €63 million and it is not possible to expand the services currently being provided. The HSE will continue to monitor the operation of the DTSS to ensure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of available resources.