A scheme to extend dental treatments to thousands of medical-card holders in the 35-64 age group was yesterday announced by the Minister for Health, Mr Cowen.
An additional 355,000 adult medical-card holders in the age group will be able to receive the full range of treatments. This removes an anomaly whereby previously they could avail only of a restricted emergency scheme.
A number of improvements have been agreed by the Department of Health with the Irish Dental Association which will be introduced gradually over the next few months.
The Minister said: "I am confident that the revamped scheme will help to reduce the inequality in oral health that exists between medical-card holders and the rest of the adult population."
People eligible under the revamped scheme will be able to go for routine treatment directly to a private dentist who has a contract with the health board when they present a valid medical card.
Previously, they had to go through the health board first. A small number of complex treatments will still require prior approval from health boards.
For eligible persons, lists of participating dentists are available from health board centres and public offices. Health board dentists will continue to provide services in the scheme, especially in areas underserved by private dentists in geographically isolated areas.