Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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136. To ask the Minister for Health if he will expand on a very limited service whereby a child who has a painful tooth is only examined in respect of that tooth, while the remainder of the teeth and the gums are not inspected and remedied as required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3313/16]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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149. To ask the Minister for Health if he will extend dental services to children in the 14 to 16 years age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3382/16]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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151. To ask the Minister for Health if he will re-introduce the procedure of fissure sealants for children which formally was applied before the end of second class but in latter years is only applied in sixth class which is excessively late; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3385/16]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 149 and 151 together.

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. The budget for the Public Dental Service is approximately €60 million per year. The HSE prioritises services within the available budget taking account of legislation, policy and key developmental stages for children's teeth. Additional resources have been released in 2015 and into 2016 to improve dental services in areas where there have been difficulties.

Emergency care for the treatment of pain, sepsis and/or trauma for children up to 16 years of age and for special needs patients is provided. Patients attending for emergency dental visits will normally have only the specific offending condition treated at that time. Relevant secondary care referrals are also made. However, regardless of the presenting complaint clinicians are obliged to advise parents/guardians if other oral health problems exist and to pass on accurate clinical information so that the parent/guardian and/or patient can manage their personal dental health needs. This is in accordance with the requirements of the Dental Council.

A targeted fissure sealant programme is provided for children aged 6 to 8 and 11 to 13 (usually 2nd and 6th class). These are the optimum ages for the application of fissure sealants. In addition, a screening programme is provided for these age groups with necessary interventions for permanent teeth including fillings and extractions. Referrals for orthodontic or other treatments as required are also made at this time.

The provision of dental services for 2nd class and 6th class is monitored by the HSE using performance indicators collated on a monthly basis. This enables the HSE to target any additional resources appropriately. However, this information is not being returned in some areas on foot of a Union direction.

The HSE is commencing a pilot scheme in Community Health Organisation Area 4 to assess the dental health of 0-3 year old children and consider appropriate preventive intervention.

A National Oral Health Policy is currently being developed which will update the Dental Action Plan 1994 with a particular focus on vulnerable groups including very young children.