Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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349. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the practice by dental hygienists of an additional charge of €25 for a clean and polish on top of the payment for having the required contributions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43024/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Treatment Benefit scheme was extended in October 2017 to provide for dental cleanings (commonly referred to as scale and polish) in additional to the existing free annual dental examination. The Department pays a set fee of €42 towards such dental cleanings. When the fee charged by the individual dentist is higher than the amount payable by the Department, the customer can be asked for an additional co-payment, this being the difference between the normal fee charged by the dentist and the €42 payable by the Department. For a "standard scale and polish" treatment (approximately 90% of all cleanings), this co-payment is limited to a maximum of €15.

If the customer requires the more complex "periodontal" cleaning, they are responsible for the payment of the balance between the Department's fee (€42) and the normal fee charged by the dentist for the procedure.

Dental cleanings, both standard and periodontal, can be provided under the scheme by either the contracted dentist or a dental hygienist employed by them.

If a customer believes that have been overcharged they should bring the details of their treatment and payments to the attention of the Department and a review of the case will be undertaken.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.