Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1397. To ask the Minister for Health the number of dentists in County Tipperary participating in the dental medical card scheme; and his plans to address the number of dentists leaving the scheme, which has left medical card patients in many areas with no access to dental treatment. [14122/21]

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 independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible regarding the number of dentists in Co Tipperary participating in the Scheme. 

I met with representatives of the dental profession towards the end of last year when I had an opportunity to hear first-hand the challenges which they face under Covid, and the enormous efforts of their members in continuing to provide services in the current environment. I accept that the profession has concerns about the current contract, which dates back to the nineties, and that one of those concerns relates to the fee structure under the DTSS.

I want to ensure the sustainability and viability of that contract and that all eligible persons can continue to receive the services that they deserve from their local dentists.  In that respect, I have asked my officials and the HSE to bring forward proposals to address the immediate concerns of the dental community.  In the longer term, my commitment to the profession and to the public is for a fundamental review of the contract, in keeping with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1398. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address the inflated running costs for dental practices, which are a significant factor in forcing many dentists out of the medical card scheme. [14123/21]

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1399. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review the dental medical card scheme in the lifetime of the Thirty-third Dáil. [14124/21]

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1555. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, due to a perceived inadequate dental medical card scheme, dentists are leaving the scheme and are refusing to take on additional patents under the scheme; when a review of the scheme will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14638/21]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1600. To ask the Minister for Health when there was last an increase in the fees paid to dentists holding contracts under the dental treatment services scheme; and if the fee cuts introduced under FEMPI will be reversed in a manner comparable to that which applied for doctors treating medical card patients. [14812/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1892. To ask the Minister for Health if discussions are ongoing with stakeholders from the independent dental sector to address concerns regarding accepting medical card patients for dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15824/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1398, 1399, 1555, 1600 and 1892 together.

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 independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE.

I met with representatives of the dental profession towards the end of last year when I had an opportunity to hear first-hand the challenges which they face under Covid, and the enormous efforts of their members in continuing to provide services in the current environment.  I accept that the profession has concerns about the current contract, which dates back to the nineties, and that one of those concerns relates to the fee structure under the DTSS.

I want to ensure the sustainability and viability of that contract and that all eligible persons can continue to receive the services that they deserve from their local dentists.  My commitment to the profession and to the public is for a fundamental review of the contract, in keeping with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the roll-out of that Policy to be delayed and the proposed contract review to be deferred.  I have, however, asked my officials and the HSE to bring forward proposals to address the immediate concerns of the dental community and to ensure that eligible persons continue to have access to vital dental services.