Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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955. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41427/21]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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1310. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 590 of 8 December 2020, the actions he has since taken to ensure that medical card patients are able to receive necessary and timely dental care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42414/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 955 and 1310 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.

The approach to future oral health service provision will be aligned with Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy (2019). The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.

I am committed to ensuring the sustainability of the DTSS, but recognise that it needs to be aligned with the new Policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the roll-out of the National Oral Health Policy to be delayed, and the proposed review of the DTSS contract to be deferred. Officials in my Department and from the HSE are currently engaging with the Irish Dental Association on matters relating to the provision of services under the DTSS.