Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will speak about concerning wait times for dental health appointments for children. It was discussed quite a bit yesterday in the other House. Kids' dental health is very important, keeping our children mindful of good oral hygiene and, equally, any work that needs to be done to their teeth. I have spoken to people in my constituency of Dublin South-West whose children have had to wait unacceptably long times for routine examinations and simple treatments such as seals done to their teeth. An example is children between the ages of eight and 12 who should be getting this done now are told they must wait until they are 13 or 14 years of age.

On my way to work today, there was a man on the radio discussing delays for dental treatment for his child who has autism. The child presented with excruciating pain and would not take medication. He was told he would have a ten-year wait. Anybody who has ever had a toothache knows that is wholly unacceptable. He did subsequently get an appointment. However, it is a huge shortcoming.

Delays in the dental health of our children are simply unacceptable. I call on the Minister to come in for a debate on dental health services for our children.