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. The DTSS is not an emergency-only service and provides routine and preventive care, though I do acknowledge that the Scheme needs to be modernised.

I approved and funded a range of measures that were put in place on 1 May 2022 to introduce and reintroduce elements of preventative care and increase the fees paid to dental contractors for most treatment items by 40-60%. In 2023, 154,864 additional treatments were provided under the DTSS, with over 26,700 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.

Among the services available annually and on demand is an oral health examination, which includes:

- necessary x-rays and other supporting diagnostics;

- risk factor/health determinants (covering tobacco, alcohol, and diet) assessment, and provision of advice on these elements;

- Assessment for trauma, dental enamel defects and oral cancer;

- Provision of preventative advice.

A scale and polish (cleaning), two fillings and extractions are also provided without the need for prior approval. More complex care, such as dentures, additional fillings and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and high-risk patients, are available subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.

In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming dental services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile agus Sláinte. The HSE's Strategic Reform Lead is driving policy implementation across the organisation and moving forward with developing new services for both adults and children in line with the Policy.