John Lahart
Question:1419. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if he is considering the restoration of self-referral access to primary dental care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16653/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (1419)
Written answers
There are currently a range of mechanisms by which patients can access primary oral healthcare services through self-referral.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. The DTSS is a “choice of dentist” scheme which does not require the patient to register with a particular dentist and enables medical card holders to attend any DTSS contractor directly, via self-referral, without recourse to the HSE.
The HSE Public Dental Service provides care to several groups of patients. Those with additional needs, who cannot receive care in a general dental practice, may need special care services provided by the HSE Public Dental Services. There are several ways to access this service, including direct referral by a patient or their caregiver.
The HSE Public Dental Service also provides a screening and necessary treatment for children approximating to second and sixth class and, in some cases, fourth class. This does require allocation of an appointment from the HSE. Emergency care is provided by the HSE for children of all ages up to 16 and for those with complex and additional needs, which is accessed by self-referral.
In the longer term, the Government recognises that substantive reform of oral healthcare services is required, as set out in the National Oral Health Policy, Smile agus Sláinte. The Policy will support the provision of all levels of care, by appropriate healthcare professionals and in the most suitable settings, to all children and adults regardless of age. The Policy fundamentally aspires that all Irish people will have their own ‘dental home’ where they build a life-long relationship with a local dental practice or practices of their choosing for continuity of care from birth to old age, reflecting how services are provided in general medical practice. For the majority of the population, this ‘dental home’ will be a local general dental practitioner, and patients will be able to directly self-refer for primary oral healthcare services. Therefore, patients will be able to choose where and when to access crucial, prevention-focused oral healthcare.
€4.75m has been allocated in Budget 2023, as part of an unprecedented additional allocation of €15m for oral healthcare services in 2023, for the development and roll-out of these comprehensive oral healthcare packages to the first cohort of children, aged from birth to 7 years.