IRISH DENTAL ASSOCIATION'S TEN KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BUDGET 2014

Oral Healthcare Provision

Adult Dental Services

Recommendation 1

Reinstate preventive and restorative care under the Dental Treatment Benefit Scheme for PRSI payers and introduce a new voucher system for all eligible patients. 

Recommendation 2

Reinstate preventive and restorative care under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme for medical card holders and introduce a new voucher system for all eligible patients. 

Dental Services for Children and Patients with Special Needs

Recommendation 3

Reinstate sufficient number of staff in all HSE areas to ensure patients of the HSE’s Public Dental Service and Orthodontic Service have access to equitable services irrespective of geographical location. 

Recommendation 4

Engage with the IDA on the reconfiguration of the HSE’s Public Dental Service and Orthodontic Service to ensure any changes fully reflect the best interests of the patient. We also make specific reference to the crisis in orthodontics and propose a five point plan to address these difficulties.

Oral Healthcare Policy

Recommendation 5

Introduce a National Oral Health Policy which provides equitable access to a range of treatments required to achieve and maintain optimal oral health for all citizens. 

Recommendation 6

Explore with the Irish Dental Association the potential participation of dentists in health promotion and chronic disease management. 

Recommendation 7

Divert a percentage of any taxes raised through consumption taxes on tobacco or high sugar / fat products towards an oral healthcare programme. 

Recommendation 8

Appoint a full-time Chief Dental Officer to the Department of Health. 

Recommendation 9

Reinstate the HSE Vocational Training Scheme in Dentistry. 

THE BUSINESS OF DENTISTRY

Recommendation 10

Introduce incentives to dentists similar to those provided to other healthcare professionals and address the cost of doing business in Ireland.

The text of the full submission is available to read here.