There has been a worrying withdrawal of dentists from the medical card scheme in Galway over the past five years Denis Naughten has said.
In the past five years, 40% of dentists have left the scheme in County Galway Deputy Naughten said, leaving just 28 practices still accepting medical cards.
“However, all of these dental practices are now full and cannot offer services to additional patients.”
“While the HSE has provided emergency treatment through local health centres this is only available for children and at present no adult service is available.”
There are 1.5 million adults around the country eligible for medical cards, and less than 600 dentists operating in the scheme.
This has left many patients unable to get dental treatment, Denis Naughten said.
Denis Naughten, as part of the Regional Group, brought a motion before the Dáil earlier this year urging the Government to take immediate action to address this situation.
“Under section 67 of the Health Act 1970, the HSE is obliged to provide dental treatment and dental appliances to persons under the medical card scheme. It is obliged under law to provide this service but has instead turned its back on those struggling to cope.”
Underpayment has led to an exodus of dentists from the medical card scheme, leading to unacceptable delays. People simply cannot get appointments. The whole system right across the board is collapsing.”
A review of the contract with dentists nationwide is needed, he added, along with investment to address staff shortages in the dental sector.
