Mr. Fintan Hourihan:

The unfortunate difficulty is the problem becomes more pronounced as children get older. If they are not seen at an early stage, the likelihood is extractions are more probable than otherwise would be the case. There are severe difficulties, but that is because of diet in the first instance and the need for greater health promotion and prevention messages. Children ought to be seen in second, fourth and sixth class. That is what the policy states. It is suggested in the oral health policy that it is happening, but it is not. In many parts of the country children are seen for the first time only in sixth class; therefore, they are ten, 11 or 12 years old, which is way too late. If one is only being seen at that stage, it is likely one will require far more extractions than would otherwise be the case. If children were seen earlier, privately or in the public service, much of this could be avoided.