Latest Laois News: Laois Dental Scheme has collapsed according to local TD

Collapse of Laois Dental Services Raised in Dáil

Local Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley says that the scheme of Dental Services for medical card patients in the county has collapsed in the last few months.

“The very limited services that was there is no longer available for those hold a medical card.”

“My office has called on all dental practices in Laois and none are taking on new medical card patients under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTTS).”

I raised this in the Dáil this week.

“ On page 47 of the programme for Government, reference is made to improving public health, focusing on primary care. Dental services for medical card patients in the county I come from, County Laois, have collapsed. There is no service for adults in Laois. Only one dentist operates under the dental treatment services scheme, DTSS. I have a list that we rang around earlier in the week to see if we could get anyone. We have been at this for weeks to see if we could get dentists to take it. Only one is dealing with existing patients and none will take new patients.

Sixteen have resigned in Laois-Offaly in the past 12 months; eight since March. The dental scheme is not being resourced and the system has collapsed. There is no DTSS in County Laois for medical card holders at the moment.

“Separately, there is no dental scheme for primary school children. I raised this with the Tánaiste seven years ago when he was Minister for Health. They are in secondary school and are 14 years of age before they are seen. It is third world country stuff. I appeal to the Tánaiste to bring this to the attention of the Minister for Health and to try to get it dealt with.’’

An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar replied:

“There is a dispute under way between dentists and the HSE and the Department of Health in relation to the DTSS. That is causing a break of services in some parts of the country, including, I understand, County Laois. We are keen to have that issue resolved as soon as possible and have the DTSS restored. I will inform the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, that the Deputy has raised concerns in relation to Laois.’’

Commenting afterwards Brian Stanley said:

“While I welcome the commitment from Leo Varadkar TD the real solution here is for the HSE to employ Dentists on a long term contract.”