Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he will take to improve dental services, especially for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36587/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The first results of the Fluoride and Caring for Children's Teeth (FACCT) survey, just published, show that 73 to 76% of children living in fluoridated areas show no evidence of dental caries. This compares very well with other European countries and is clear evidence of a substantial improvement in the oral health of children in Ireland. Future service provision will be informed by the National Oral Health Policy, which the Department of Health is currently developing. This three-year project commenced in 2014 and is being led by the Chief Dental Officer. The project includes a needs assessment, a review of resources and involves consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public.

Dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons of all ages with special needs are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE through its dental clinics. HSE dental clinics provide a screening and fissure sealant programme for children at key stages of development, aged 6 to 8 and 11 to 13. The service includes referral for further treatment, including orthodontic treatment, where necessary. Emergency care for children up to 16 years of age and treatment for special needs patients is also provided. Resources have been released in 2015 and into 2016 to improve dental services in areas where there have been difficulties. The HSE is also commencing a pilot scheme for 0-3 year-old children to assess what advice should be given to parents regarding best care of their teeth.

With regard to orthodontic services, the HSE has established a pilot scheme in Dublin North East which will involve the use of orthodontic therapists in the treatment of a number of eligible children. Consideration will be given to expanding this scheme to other HSE areas in the future. In addition, a national procurement process is currently underway to provide treatment for certain categories of misalignment by a panel of independent practitioners under contract to the HSE over the next three years, with consideration of an extension to four years. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for four years or longer. It is expected that this initiative will commence later this year and will have a positive impact on waiting times.

It is the policy of the HSE that general anaesthesia should, if possible, be avoided in the practice of dentistry. Since 2012 the HSE has been upskilling dental teams in conscious sedation as an alternative. These developments, together with regular validation of waiting lists, will result in more appropriate and timely access for patients who require these specialised services. General anaesthetic services will continue to be provided on determination of clinical need. The HSE has undertaken to commence a national audit on dental general anaesthetic waiting lists for children and for those requiring special care.

The Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for medical card holders over the age of 16. All medical card holders are entitled to specific dental treatments e.g., an annual dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, extractions as necessary. Additional treatments are available to persons with specific medical conditions, such as diabetes, including persons in receipt of care or services for a disability and persons on a register of disability. In 2010 the HSE introduced measures to cap expenditure on the Scheme at the 2008 expenditure level of €63m. Since then the budget for the DTSS has been increasing and is €76m this year.