Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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189. To ask the Minister for Health the number of private dentists who held a contract with the HSE for the provision of dental services to medical card holders at the end of each of the years 2017 to 2021. [25044/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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190. To ask the Minister for Health if any obligation exists on dentists to inform patients that they no longer provide dental services to medical card holders prior to scheduling appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25045/22]

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. Dentists must give three months' notice of withdrawal from the Scheme. I expect dentists to continue to honour their ethical and contractual obligations to patients, including during their notice period, to provide a service or to ensure that patients are referred to another dentist who will provide a service.

Dentists operating outside the DTSS who charge patients for treatment are required to provide patients with an estimate of the cost of treatment options and get patients' agreement before treatment commences, in accordance with the Dental Council’s Code of Practice on 'Professional Behaviour and Ethical Conduct’.