Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I call on the Acting Leader to arrange a debate on oral health and dental services. This is a very significant issue. I read some figures recently indicating that there are 23% fewer dentists working in the HSE now than there were in 2006. The school dental programme, in particular, is of concern. It is actually falling apart at the moment. We put a strategy in place five years ago to deal with oral health issues which contained a list of 41 actions but I do not think any of those actions have been progressed further. As a result, we have a significant crisis. Parents and families have spoken to me about not being able to access the school dental programme. I propose that we invite the Minister for Health to the House to debate this issue. We need to put a strategy in place for the future to make sure we can accommodate everyone in the sector. Those working in our dental services have come forward to say that the sector is in crisis at the moment. Articles have been published in recent weeks outlining a range of frightening statistics. There are tens of thousands of children waiting to see the school dentist. That will have a knock-on effect on the oral health of our population going forward. It is very important that growing children get the services they need to deal with fissures and other dental issues. We should have a debate with the Minister for Health on this really important issue.