Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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674. To ask the Minister for Health if funding is available for dental treatments for medical card holders who require additional treatment which is not covered under the general medical services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1479/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. The service is provided by contracted dentists. The HSE prioritises for treatment patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs. A free oral examination every calendar year and free emergency dental treatment with a focus on relief of pain and sepsis are available to all eligible patients, regardless of their medical condition. This includes 2 fillings per year, all extractions, including surgical extractions, and a number of complex treatments. Additional treatments are available to persons with specific medical conditions including persons in receipt of care or services for a disability and persons on a register of disability. €76 million is being provided for the DTSS in 2015. The HSE will continue to monitor the operation of the DTSS to ensure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of available resources.