Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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685. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the findings of the 2015 FACCT, fluoride and caring for children’s teeth, survey as regards the lowest socioeconomic groups; the way in which his Department proposes to deal with the emerging crisis in oral health for those children and their families who can least afford to attend for dental care and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27046/16]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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688. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the delay in publishing the oral health policy which was commenced in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27049/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 685 and 688 together.

The FACCT (Fluoride And Caring for Children's Teeth) study is a 6-year research programme to evaluate the impact and outcome of the change in policy on water fluoridation and on the use of fluoride toothpaste on dental caries and enamel fluorosis in children with and without lifetime exposure to water fluoridation. The study is not complete and has not yet been published. Preliminary results show that 73 - 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. While there are indications that deprivation may be linked to poorer oral health, further work needs to be completed to support this assertion. The Department of Health and the HSE will continue to monitor the findings of the FACCT surveys as they emerge.

There is a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government to introduce a preventive dental health package for children under 6. Together with existing dental checks at 6, 9 and 12 years, every child under 12 will be entitled to a comprehensive preventive dental health programme. The National Oral Health Policy, which the Department of Health is currently developing, will inform future provision of dental services. There has been no delay in publishing the policy. This three-year project commenced in 2014 and is due to be completed early in 2017. The project, which is being led by the Chief Dental Officer, includes a needs assessment, a review of resources and involves consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public. These are matters which I intend to consider in the context of the implementation of the Health commitments in the Programme for Government and having regard to the funding available to facilitate such measures.  Detailed financial analysis will be required in order to establish as accurately as possible the expected costs to the Exchequer in each case.