John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1731. To ask the Minister for Health the number of independent dental practices that signed up to the dental treatment services scheme in each of the past five years, broken down by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18033/23]

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.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1732. To ask the Minister for Health if there are ongoing discussions with stakeholders from the independent dental sector to address any concerns that they have regarding accepting medical card patients for dental treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18034/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is a top priority for myself and for the Government to improve patient access to oral healthcare services, both in the short term through a range of measures, and in the long term through transformational reform of oral healthcare services in Ireland. This reform will be achieved through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy.

Officials in my Department engaged with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) prior to the introduction in May last year of a package of measures to expand the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) for adult medical card holders and increase the fees paid to contractors for most treatment items by 40-60%. The numbers of patients being seen and the numbers of treatments being provided under the DTSS have all increased in recent months.

The Chief Dental Officer and other officials in the Department of Health met with the IDA on 29 July 2022 and 2 December 2022 to discuss implementation of the National Oral Health Policy. I look forward to meeting the IDA on 24th April to discuss a number of issues including dental services for medical card holders.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1733. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting one additional orthodontics specialist, one senior dental hygienist and one senior dental surgeon, in tabular form. [18042/23]

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.