Providing free dental care for adult medical-card holders and all children as proposed under the Department of Health’s new oral health policy would cost €80 million a year, according to an analysis. Children aged under 16 will receive eight free oral-health “packages” according to their age, the policy proposes, including examinations, assessments and emergency care. Complete reversalDr O’Connor said the association would need to study the plan carefully to see how it compared with the IDA’s vision for oral health services. Most dental care for children will pass from HSE public services to private, local dentists under the new policy. This would help reduce the imbalances in oral health between children living in fluoridated areas and those living in areas where fluoride is not added to the water supply.

Source: The Irish Times April 03, 2019 16:07 UTC