Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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1180. To ask the Minister for Health if he will examine the possibility of restoring free dental benefits, namely, a free clean and polish, for the over-70s. [15475/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental treatments to medical card holders. Services currently available annually include an examination, two fillings and emergency extractions. Other more complex care is also provided, some of which requires prior approval by a Principal Dental Surgeon. Patients with special needs and high risk patients can avail of a broader range of treatments. This includes free scale and polish for those who are considered to be at high risk.

Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, published in April 2019, includes proposals for the introduction of packages of oral healthcare for adult medical card holders at different intervals during their life course. The packages will focus on prevention and will include examinations, advice, and preventive therapies such as scale and polish. The timeframe for the delivery of the Policy is up to 2026 and the roll-out of these packages of care will take place incrementally over the next number of years. Routine care including fillings and complex care will continue to be available.