Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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884. To ask the Minister for Health for a list of all dentists in Clare that undertake dental work for those in receipt of a medical card as part of the dental treatment service scheme; the process whereby a medical card holder who cannot get treatment from such a dentist can do so; the steps that can be taken by her Department to ensure those with a medical card who are entitled to dental treatments through the scheme get access to it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16658/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides oral healthcare, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, extractions, and a scale and polish. 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.

However, I am aware that there are some towns with no or limited DTSS dentists that have sufficient capacity to accept new patients. In these areas, local HSE services can assist patients to access a dentist. In exceptional circumstances, where emergency treatment is required, the HSE can directly contact private contractors or arrange treatment to be provided by HSE-employed dentists.

A package of measures was introduced in 2022 to expand the care available under the Scheme and significantly increase the fees paid to contractors. These measures have improved access to care: payments for contractor claims in 2024 show 227,691 additional treatments were provided nationally under the DTSS, with over 44,208 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.

In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming oral healthcare services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile Agus Sláinte. The new Programme for Government contains commitments to implement the National Oral Health Policy and to reform oral healthcare services for medical card holders.

The implementation plan for the first phase of policy implementation, to end-2027, is currently being finalised by my Department and the HSE, following targeted consultation in Q3 last year, and includes reform of services for medical card holders as one of several priority actions.

I have asked the HSE to forward the requested data, a list of all dentists in Clare that undertake dental work for those in receipt of a medical card as part of the Dental Treatment Service Scheme, to the Deputy as soon as possible.