A total of 5,635 children in Galway are waiting for routine dental appointments, a situation described as “unacceptable” by a Galway West TD.
The figures were released to Sinn Féin in response to a parliamentary question and reveal almost 100,000 children across the State are facing these delays. In Galway, the figures break down to 2,874 second class pupils waiting for an appointment, with 2,761 sixth class pupils also waiting for an appointment.
SF Galway West TD, Mairéad Farrell [pictured below], has accused the HSE of “failing children” under the Health Act by not providing children with their statutory entitlement of routine dental screening in primary schools.
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“Failure to provide this important healthcare runs the risk of seriously harming children’s health,” she said. “These figures are totally unacceptable and reveal a growing crisis in children’s dental care.
Prior to Covid, reports from The Irish Dental Association found an increasing number of children are only being offered examination and dental care for the first time at sixth class – instead of at first, second, fourth, and sixth classes.
“There are strong links between good oral health and good physical health, and it is vital the HSE develop a contingency plan so children can receive this vital service,” she said. “The Government must urgently intervene to ensure appropriate contingency plans are put in place to ensure children receive these vital services that they should be entitled to.”
