Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is not working. The cost and availability of dental services need to be tackled, as does the orthodontic situation in Dundalk. Going private is not an option, as orthodontists are too busy or not taking referrals. Medical cards are being refused by regular practices. People are waiting extraordinary amounts of time for essential medical treatment. Children are 15 or 16 years of age before they receive the first of their three dental checks. I could go on. These stories highlight the urgent need to reform the current dental treatment services scheme model, particularly as it applies to medical card holders and children who require orthodontic or other dental treatment. Will the Minister please liaise with the Minister for Health to ensure the recruitment of an orthodontist in Louth as soon as possible while also ensuring adequate access to and funding of dental and aftercare services for children and medical card holders? My main fear is that children are seeing nothing but sparkling teeth on television programmes and they believe that they should have the same teeth. It is important that we get them services at an early age and that those who have problems with their teeth can get braces, but it is also important that aftercare be provided.

We are having problems. Will the Minister please liaise with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and see whether this can be tackled?

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