Ongoing moves to address lack of dentists for medical card holders in Mayo

Fresh concerns have been raised over shortage of dentists serving the needs of medical card holders in east Mayo.

Ballyhaunis Councillor Alma Gallagher asked at today's meeting of the HSE West Forum in Galway if there will be a dentist located in Ballyhaunis Primary Health Care Centre.

In a response, HSE West outlined: "The dental service to the school going population of eligible children in Ballyhaunis will recommence when the new Primary Care Centre is open.

"With regard to medical card holders in the region, joining the Dentist Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) is optional.

"However the online approval system shows that contractors in Mayo are seeing medical card patients for treatment.

"Some medical card holders have opted to travel outside of the county to access dental services where there are more contractors available.

"Following approval by the Minister for Health, the HSE introduced a package of interim measures in May 2022 to support the scheme, which resulted in fee increases and the expansion of treatments available i.e. reintroduction of scale and polish.

"There were significant fee increases of up to 60% in some treatment items including restorations, routine extractions and dentures.

"These measures are intended to help address the immediate problem of access to services for medical card holders.

"The HSE’s expenditure on the DTSS rose from €39,595,484 in 2021 to €49,437,639 in 2022 and to €64,792,282 in 2023.

"Last year in 2024, the expenditure was €69,317,246. It is also worth noting that a review of the DTSS will be carried out as part of the phased implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, ‘Smile agus Sláinte’.

"This root-and branch review, in line with the National Oral Health Policy, will examine all aspects of the scheme, including fees and allocated budget, which one hopes will attract others to join the scheme in the future."