Dental services for Medical Card holders expanded

Commitment to a review of the Scheme to ensure its future viability.

A local senator has welcomed new measures to provide expanded dental healthcare services for medical card holders.

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, made the announcement which clears the way for an expanded Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS). He has also confirmed his commitment to a review of the Scheme to ensure its future viability.

Senator Robbie Gallagher commented: “Over the last two years I have raised the issue of access to dental services for medical card holders. I am delighted that Minister Donnelly has today approved new measures in this area.

“It is a positive move and will end pain and waiting time for many of our most vulnerable. It is the Minister’s intention to align the Scheme with the National Oral Health Policy. Pending that review, his immediate priority will be to address issues facing medical card patients in accessing treatment.”

The new measures include approval for increases in the fees payable to contracted dentists. This should mean more dentists willing to partake in the scheme.

It also includes examinations and fillings, the reintroduction of Scale and Polish for medical card patients, and expanded dental health care for medical card holders in the Dental Treatment Services Scheme.

Furthermore there is a commitment to a review of the Scheme to ensure its future viability.

“We still need to progress this issue further but this is a very welcome and significant step in the right direction” concluded Senator Gallagher.