Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

590. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some medical card patients are unable to avail of dental work as their dental services providers have withdrawn from the scheme due to issues with HSE funding for PPE; the status of HSE funding for PPE; his plans to address this issue to ensure that medical card patients continue to receive necessary dental care from their assigned practitioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41212/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 I understand that since the beginning of March, 173 dentists have withdrawn from the DTSS and that 58 new applications are being processed.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. Patients are not assigned a dentist by the HSE but may choose a dentist who participates in the Scheme. The HSE will assist medical card holders in accessing such treatment if required. 

While the interruption to services caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic has led to some delays in the provision of non-emergency care, there are signs that activity levels have been returning to normal in recent months.

My Department, in conjunction with the HSE and supported by guidance from the 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 dentists 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.