Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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467. To ask the Minister for Health if the €5 million funding announced in Budget 2023 to support the HSE public dental services in addressing backlogs in children’s and special care services has been issued; to provide an update on the work undertaken by his Department to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27116/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding access to public oral healthcare services for children, I acknowledge that there are access issues in respect of the current model of service provided, which aims to offer the first of three appointments to children while they are in second class (approximately aged 7). Due to the impact of the pandemic on the operation of HSE dental clinics, the HSE has had to prioritise patient groups, to ensure emergency care remains available for all children up to the age of 16, and to give highest priority to children and adults with special care needs, followed by children in 6th class.

In the short-term, HSE’s ongoing efforts to address the backlogs that emerged have meant that the backlog in sixth class appointments has now been cleared in most areas. In the longer-term, the National Oral Health Policy sets out a significant expansion of care through the provision of comprehensive oral healthcare packages across the lifecourse, starting from birth. These prevention-focused packages will be provided by a local dentist under contract to the HSE. The HSE is currently developing these oral healthcare packages, starting with 0-2 years olds, and supported by an additional €4.75m in funding.

Regarding orthodontic services, investment in private waiting list initiatives, including an additional €10 million in 2023, has reduced orthodontic treatment waiting lists by 8,700 patients, or 44%, between end-March 2019 and end-December 2023. This funding has also supported the commencement in September 2023 of a new orthognathic (jaw) surgery initiative to ensure patients can access these life-changing procedures, when they are required as part of public orthodontic treatment. A further €3.35m is being invested this year on a one-off basis to support the continuation of measures to reduce orthodontics waiting lists.

Regarding access to public oral healthcare services for adult medical card holders, additional investment of €10m has, from May 2022, supported the introduction and reintroduction of preventative care to the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) for adult medical card holders over 16 years and an increase in contractor fees of 40-60%. This has resulted in increased numbers of patients seen and treatments provided. Comparing the claims made by DTSS contractors nationally, in 2023, 154,864 additional treatments were provided under the DTSS, with over 26,700 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.

I acknowledge that access issues remain in some areas and that complete modernisation of care, the service model and subsequently contractual arrangements for adult medical card holders is required, as set out in the Policy. The HSE is committed to the design and development of packages of expanded preventative care, and will consult with the profession this year on this draft design, as the first phase of reform of the DTSS.

The use of the €5 million in one-off funding made available to the HSE for 2023 to support the HSE Public Dental Service in providing care has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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468. To ask the Minister for Health the number of additional patients seen on the dental treatment services scheme under the €5 million waiting list reduction scheme 2023; and the estimated total cost of these sessions per CHO area, in tabular form [27117/24]

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.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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469. To ask the Minister for Health the total spend on the dental treatment services scheme in 2009; the cost to maintain 2009 levels of spending on the scheme between the years 2010 and 2023 respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27119/24]

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.