Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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325. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the Departmental review of the dental medical card scheme; if a timeline can be provided for its completion; his plans to alleviate access issues to dentists for medical card holders in the short-term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43851/22]

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. I recognise that there is a need to substantively review and reform the DTSS to align with best international evidence and practice, as outlined in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte (2019).

An unprecedented allocation of €15 million has been made in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services. On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available for new clinical leadership posts and for other supporting staff to allow substantive reform of the provision of public oral healthcare services to all ages to commence.

I am aware that a significant number of dentists chose to leave the Scheme during the pandemic, which led to difficulties for medical card patients in accessing dental care in some parts of the country. 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 HSE will assist patients who are still having difficulties accessing services and may provide emergency dental services directly to patients where necessary. I have also secured an additional €5 million in Budget 2023 to help enable provision of such emergency care.