Nineteen Mayo dentists offer medical card care

THE HSE has revealed there are currently 19 dental practitioners in Mayo registered with the Dental Treatment Service Scheme providing care under the medical card.

Primary care services is not aware of any plans to increase this number.

In response to a query from Councillor Michael Kilcoyne at the November meeting of the Health Forum West, the HSE explained that the following services are available under the scheme: dental exam - 1 per year; scale and polish - 1 per year; dentures - every 5 years; extractions - as needed; fillings - 2 per calendar year.

At the meeting in Merlin Park Hospital, Councillor Kilcoyne commented: “I just wonder what does it take to get the rest of the dentists to join, because people continue to pay their PRSI, including for treatment benefits, and yet they are not able to avail of the service.

“This is a matter between the dental department and the department of health and I urge them to get it sorted.

“It is unfair people are paying for a service that they don't get.”