Written answers

Wednesday, 15 June 2022

Photo of Jackie CahillJackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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209. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be reinstated on the dentist medical card scheme without having to proceed through the tedious application process again considering that they were on the GMS scheme from 1982 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31089/22]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the news that some dentists are seeking reinstatement on the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), which provides dental treatment for medical card holders aged 16 and over.

The HSE have advised that they are doing everything they can to expedite the processing of applications from dentists who wish to be reinstated on the DTSS. I have been assured by the HSE that they are confident that once the paperwork which the dentist needs to provide is in order, it is feasible for that dentist to be reinstated on the scheme in a matter of weeks.

However, there are certain essential supporting documents which applicants need to provide and which need to be in order to allow processing of an application to proceed. These include:

a. Evidence of Registration with Irish Dental Council;

b. Evidence of Professional Indemnification/Insurance with a recognised dental defence organisation or other insurer;

c. Evidence of Xray Licence for equipment at the premises stated on the application form;

d. Tax Clearance Certificate with PPSN and Access Code for online verification;

e. Evidence of Public Liability insurance, with HSE indemnification, for the premises stated on the application form, to the level of €6.5 millions;

f. Evidence of Employer Liability insurance, with HSE indemnification, for the premises stated on the application form, to the level of €12.7 millions; and

g. Dental Contractors must also provide written confirmation from their insurance/indemnity provider that the insurer is authorised to operate in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland.

A premises inspection will then be required for dentists who have not undergone an inspection by the HSE in the past two years. However, the HSE has assured me that they will expedite this inspection within 1-2 weeks of receipt of the appropriate paperwork.

The HSE is available to advise any dentist who is seeking reinstatement on the DTSS.

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