DENTISTS HAVE been warned they may face sanction if they attempt to apply for eligibility for treating their clients under the State’s dental benefit scheme without the customers’ permission.
The issue has arisen in recent days as dentists have begun to respond to changes to the scheme announced in the Budget.
It has emerged some dentists have essentially sent lists of hundreds of patients to the Department of Social and Family Affairs seeking clarification that the customers are eligible for treatment benefit.
In some cases, the customers had not given their permission for the dentist to contact the department. In other cases, the customers about whom the dentists were inquiring had died.
From January 1st, the dental benefit scheme will provide cover for a dental examination only. Previously, those who paid full social welfare contributions were entitled to a certain amount towards dental treatment, such as cleaning and fillings.
In a statement, the department reminded dentists that only customers with confirmed appointments could apply for treatment under the scheme.
It said that only those patients who by the year’s end have confirmed appointments to see their dentists would have their eligibility considered under existing rules.
There were about 20 separate incidences where approval was sought for multiple customers – ranging from 50 to over 500 individuals. At least four applications related to deceased customers.
“Dentists need the permission of the insured person in order to make inquiries on their behalf.”
Irish Dental Association chief executive Fintan Hourihan said the association had made it “very clear” to its members that they needed to have the agreement of patients, or a confirmed appointment, before they could check an individual’s eligibility for the scheme.