Dr. Joe Green:

In HSE services, every child aged up to 15 years can attend if he or she has pain. In a case where an orthodontic condition - a malocclusion - is identified, usually around the age of 12, referral will be made to the HSE orthodontic service. If the assessment is successful, the child is placed on the waiting list and called for treatment. Within the system, priority is given to more complex cases. If a child is in pain, he or she will not be left in pain. The pain will be managed. If there is an orthodontic element to the condition, the dental service will liaise with the orthodontic service and try to resolve the matter and deal with the pain and symptoms