Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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1025. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the fact that many dentists are refusing to see medical card holders and are only providing treatment to private patients, which is leaving the most financially venerable constituents without vital dental care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14850/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am concerned about reports that some medical card holders have been refused access to treatment by a small number of dentists who hold Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) contracts, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in May which enabled the return to routine care.

My Department has received reassurance from the HSE that any patients who have been refused care in a DTSS contracted service have been accommodated either in an alternative DTSS practice and/or directly by the HSE.

I would expect due process to be followed in respect of any withdrawal from the terms of a DTSS contract, in particular regarding an appropriate period of notice. I would also expect dentists to continue to honour their ethical and contractual obligations to patients during the notice withdrawal period, to either provide a service or to ensure that patients are referred to another dentist who will provide a service.