Written answers
Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Department of Health
Dental Services
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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549. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on any discussions between his Department and the Irish Dental Association on further revision of the dental treatment service scheme; the plans his Department and the HSE have to ensure that patients in Louth and Meath who have medical cards receive the timely treatment they need in the interim; if he will provide the most recent figures on the number of registered dentists in the scheme in both Louth and Meath as of 1 May 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21198/24]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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It is a top priority for the Government to improve patient access to oral healthcare services through implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile Agus Sláinte. Regarding service reform, the priorities for 2024, as captured in the HSE's National Service Plan, include:
- Development of a comprehensive phased policy implementation plan for the range of actions identified in the policy, including stakeholder engagement and resource identification;
- Progression of oral health and care packages for children aged from birth to seven years of age; and
- The design of clinical elements for reformed preventative care for adult medical cardholders as referenced in the policy.
I have asked the HSE to forward the requested data, the most recent figures on the number of registered dentists in the Dental Treatment Services Scheme in both Louth and Meath as of 1 May 2024, to the Deputy as soon as possible.
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