Louth TD seeks action on 'deficient dental services'

Louth Independent TD, Peter Fitzpatrick, along with the Regional Group of TDs are to seek action on what they describe as "deficient dental services" in a forthcoming motion. 

"Our health service is in crisis. Delayed dental treatment, due to the collapse of the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) is compounding chronic illness", says Deputy Fitzpatrick.

To address what is seen as a mounting dental health crisis, the Regional Group have published a Dáil motion which will be debated this Thursday 19 January, calling for immediate access improvements to dental care.  

“The bottom line is that dental services should be affordable and available. Unfortunately, it is neither. We must improve access to dental care in an equitable and sustainable manner for all, across all income groups”, says Deputy Fitzpatrick. 

The Regional Group says that most oral health conditions are largely preventable and can be treated in their early stages, however, oral diseases are becoming more common due to deficient services and share risk factors with chronic disease such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. 

“Every week we are contacted by constituents in Louth and East-Meath who, despite having a medical card, cannot get dental care”, said Fitzpatrick.

"The reason being that there is an almost 25% fall in the number of dentists claiming reimbursement through the Dental Treatment Services Scheme since December 2020. With dentists withdrawing from the Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS), these people cannot afford to pay for a dentist, especially amid this cost-of-living crisis. 

"On top of this, most community healthcare dentists are at full capacity and unable to take on new patients. The public dental service is on its knees. For this reason, the DTSS needs to be reviewed and reformed without further delay with full stakeholder consultation."

In a statement from Deputy Fitzpatrick, he explains that the delays in dental care "are affecting those in most need, especially, children and people with disabilities. More than 13,000 children are awaiting orthodontic treatment. Many children do not get their first dental check until secondary school children, while more and more adults with disabilities are facing delays in accessing dental surgery under general anaesthetic." 

Deputy Fitzpatrick and the Regional Group Members state there are many solutions available to the Government, but they need to be initiated immediately. Fitzpatrick and his colleagues in the regional group are calling for the reformation of the Dental Tax Relief scheme (Med 2).

The group believes that an increase in the tax relief will assist those struggling with increasing bills by expanding access to treatments and reliefs available. Immediate reform is also required for work permit schemes for dentists and dental nurses.  

In relation to staffing and recruitment of dentists, associates, hygienists, and nurses into the sector, the Regional Group Members highlight the requirement of additional undergraduate places for dental graduates in Irish universities. Furthermore, the group says the State needs to provide additional training places for auxiliary workers and a renewed vocational training scheme.

Likewise, Deputy Fitzpatrick says he will push for the provision of additional training to allow paediatric dental services to operate where there is a lack of paediatric nursing staff. 

"Long term thinking is needed", says Deputy Fitzpatrick, and he notes that supporting our dental and health care providers "supports the health of our people, saves money and reduces pressure on our health services in the long run".