Written answers
Tuesday, 22 November 2022
Department of Health
Dental Services
Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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727. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 990 of 8 November 2022, the way in which members of the public can access HSE assistance if they are unable to secure dental treatment for emergency dental treatment where necessary; the areas that these supports are available in; and the contact addresses of such supports. [58048/22]
Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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728. To ask the Minister for Health if there is an immediate plan in place to address the situation which dentists are only seeing existing patients and not taking on new patients in County Wexford and if he will make a statement on the matter ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58049/22]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 727 and 728 together.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. I am aware that medical card holders in some parts of the country have experienced issues in accessing a dentist under the Scheme.
The HSE have assured me that where a patient contacts the local HSE dental service in relation to difficulties accessing a dentist, each case is followed up by the local services who can provide details of private contractors operating under the DTSS. In exceptional circumstances, the HSE directly assists patients to access emergency dental treatment by contacting private contractors or arranging treatment through HSE employed dentists.
My officials have asked the HSE to compile the necessary contact details for the local dental clinics and will respond directly to the Deputy in due course once this information is received.
I have awarded €5 million in Budget 2023 to support the HSE to continue to provide this emergency care service across the country next year, as well as to provide care to the targeted primary school class programme, and preparation is underway in the HSE for the use of this funding.
While this is a once-off measure, I am also committed to improving access to oral healthcare services in the longer term through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile Agus Sláinte. This €5m award is part of an unprecedented additional allocation of €15 million in Budget 2023 to enhance the provision of oral healthcare services next year and support substantial service reform, through policy implementation.
On top of this €15 million allocation, resources will also be made available in 2023 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, including through work on the development of a new medical card scheme. The implementation plan for Smile Agus Sláintewill prioritise the alleviation of access issues for oral healthcare.
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