Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The dental treatment services scheme was meant to entitle those who needed free public dental services as needed but this is an empty entitlement if the services simply are not available. They simply are not available in Mayo and other counties. We saw the vote of no confidence in the Minister, passed by the Irish Dental Association last week. The Minister for Health admitted that the State had a blind spot when it comes to dentistry and oral health. It is not good enough for people on medical cards to pay the price for this blind spot. In 2010, 63 dentists were taking medical card patients in Mayo. In 2020, there were 53. Now there are 19. There are just no dentists in Mayo now accepting new patients. The Government has to sit down with the Irish Dental Association and sort this out so that people can access vital care.

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