Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Subhead M4 relates to the recoupment of certain dental treatment services scheme costs from the Social Insurance Fund. Like Deputy Ó Caoláin, I believe this area must be examined quickly. I realise there is a campaign on the fluoridation of water and so on. However, the key issue of oral hygiene is one we are beginning to neglect dramatically. I accept that I cannot blame the Minister for this one. I must blame previous Ministers and therefore the current Minister is exonerated. However, he will be adjudicated on his actions in terms of responding to it.

Cleaning and scaling is proven to have positive dental and oral hygiene effects. Now, people are no longer entitled to cleaning and scaling although they are entitled to extractions. This is a little like saying a person is not entitled to treatment for an ingrown toenail, but we will take the leg off if it gets infected. We should not look at it in that context. We must be proactive in the whole area of dental hygiene. All the socioeconomic surveys show that there are problems in certain groupings and areas and these must be addressed. We cannot simply depend on the fluoridation of water to address all the ills of dental and oral hygiene. There should be a concerted effort. The idea that we will allow extractions or take out teeth but not clean them in advance is something the Department must revisit quickly. Otherwise, it is storing up vast expense in the years ahead with decay and poor dental hygiene.

At this stage, in the area of orthodontic treatment, people have thrown in the towel on the service. It is farcical to suggest that we have an orthodontic service that is timely, efficient and effective. This is not a cosmetic issue; it is a health issue. People need to have orthodontic treatment applied in a timely fashion.

It has a huge impact on young children socially in respect of normal growing up, intimidation and bullying. This affects people who need orthodontic treatment, including their education. There is no point in announcing in the years ahead that we are going to have orthodontic treatment. These kids will be 18, 19 and 20 years of age and it will be too late. They need it in their formative years. It should be done once it is sound to do so dentally. Children can face huge pressure and be at risk of social embarrassment as a result of having prominent teeth. We all know it. In previous times, kids would be bullied. It has an impact on them and can have a very damaging social impact on young girls. We cannot just pretend it does not happen and that they will be looked after-----