From: 'Toothless’—the absence of political priority for oral health: a case study of Ireland 1994–2021
Dental scheme | Patient group covered | Type of oral health care covered |
---|---|---|
Public Dental Service | Children (0–16 years) There are 1.07 m children under age 16 in Ireland 22% of population Some adult populations with special needs | ‘Emergency’ dental care only Comprehensive treatment entailing preventive and restorative care (including orthodontic treatment under strict qualification criteria) Two age groups only (ages 7–8 and ages 11–12) Eligibility does not equate to accessibility Service provision varies across the country Patients are targeted by age not clinical risk |
Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) | Category I Medical Card holders Eligibility for a Medical Card is generally based on an income means test Covers 32% of the population 24% of eligible persons utilised scheme in 2019 | One oral exam per annum, two fillings per annum and unlimited dental extractions Prior approval can be sought from a local HSE health manager for additional treatment including: More than 2 fillings, full or partial dentures, anterior root canals and for certain high risk groups, periodontal care |
Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme (DTBS) | Social insurance contributors for three years (PRSI) Up to 2.2 m contributors insured in 2018 at a cost of €50 m In 2018 1.25 million claims were approved | Oral examination and one scale and polish (to the value of €42) annually |