Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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209. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists who have left the DTSS for medical card holders; the basis on which they are leaving; the efforts his Department is taking to address the current impasse which has resulted in many medical card patients unable to obtain a dental appointment; if he has met with an association (details supplied); when the proposal for the supply of PPE was submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35544/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by over 1,400 independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. I understand that since the beginning of March, 161 dentists have withdrawn from the DTSS and that 58 new applications are being processed. This is within the normal range of fluctuations of dentists participating in the Scheme in recent years.

The DTSS contract allows the dentist to withdraw from the scheme by giving 3 month’s notice in writing. I 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. The HSE assists medical card holders to access such treatment when required.

My Department, in conjunction with the HSE and supported by guidance from Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), is examining the issue of the provision of PPE across all parts of the health service, including health service contractors. My Department has been engaging with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) throughout the pandemic and is preparing for further engagement on any additional measures to support the oral health of the public during these difficult times.