Seanad debates

Friday, 19 December 2008

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages

 

3:00 pm

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Fine Gael)

Orthodontics have a lifelong impact on a young person if there is a failure to complete proper orthodontic work on him or her. The availability of orthodontic work in the public system in this country is abysmal. Most families must do this on their own. It is not just a question of how a child's teeth are from a functional point of view. There is also the psychological aspect of young children who have significant dental problems and who need extensive orthodontic and other remedial dental work. This expensive work is not available in the public system. We should not just look at the physical part of dentition but also the psychological effects on young teenagers when they are unable to get this work done properly. The argument that there is a sense of fairness in this is wrong. We should provide this service publicly to young teenagers and children. The Minister of State should re-examine this.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.