Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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218. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns in relation to medical card holders being unable to get dental appointments due to ongoing issues between dentists and the HSE; his plans to alleviate this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50773/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Approximately 1,200 contracted dentists provide oral healthcare to medical card holders under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. The HSE will assist anyone experiencing problems accessing a service.

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.

The current DTSS is based on outdated approaches from the 1990s and is no longer suitable. I am committed to ensuring the sustainability of the DTSS, but recognise that it needs to be aligned  with the best international evidence and practice, as outlined in 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 to explore ways of mitigating the difficulties some patients are currently experiencing in accessing services.