David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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141. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for dental services for public patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52301/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Public dental services are provided to children and to patients with special needs by the HSE Public Dental Service. Services available for children up to 16 years of age include emergency care, a fissure sealant programme for 2^ndand 6^thclasses and referral and care for orthodontics.

In addition, the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. The numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS have both increased in recent months following a €26 million package of additional investment in, and expansion of, the Scheme from 1st May 2022, over and above what was spent on the Scheme in 2021.

The National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte, sets out a body of comprehensive reforms to the provision of oral healthcare services in Ireland, in which services are reoriented to embrace a primary oral healthcare approach that is available across the lifecourse. I am committed to ensuring that implementation of this policy progresses. Therefore, an unprecedented allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. 

A dedicated €4.75 million has been provided to develop comprehensive oral healthcare packages for children aged from birth to seven years, aligned with the National Oral Health Policy. An additional €9 million has been provided to address waiting lists in orthodontics and for the Public Dental Service to provide care to its eligible children and adult patients.

On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available to recruit more consultant orthodontists, for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff. These latter staff will allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence.