The HSE is failing children by not providing them with their statutory entitlement of routine dental screening in primary schools.
So says local Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster who received figures this week from the HSE that show that approximately 2500 children have not had their first class dental check-up, and another 2500 are waiting for their sixth class check-ups in Louth.
In Meath the figures are even worse, with approximately 3000 children on each list, which is a total of around 6000 children awaiting routine check-ups.
“These figures are totally unacceptable” Deputy Munster said.
“The HSE have said that in Louth and Meath dental check ups for children in first class were dropped from the school year 2019/2020 onwards due to a shortage of dentists.
“This decision was taken prior to Covid-19, though the pandemic has further exacerbated the backlog.
“This is further proof, if we needed it, that public dental services in Louth and Meath are in crisis, with many people, children and adults, unable to access routine dental care.
“The HSE are not providing adequate dental screening to primary school children and are failing children under the Health Act.
“Failure to provide this important healthcare runs the risk of seriously harming children’s health. These figures are totally unacceptable and reveal a growing crisis in children’s dental care.
“This situation has been exacerbated by the impact of Covid. The system was already under huge pressure and this has only increased.
“There are strong links between good oral health and good physical health, and it is vital that the HSE develop a contingency plan so children can receive this vital service.
“This situation is not unique to Louth and Meath but it is replicated right across the state, where there are currently almost 100,000 children waiting on an appointment.
“The Government must urgently intervene to ensure appropriate contingency plans are put in place to ensure that children receive these vital services that they should be entitled to.
“I’ll be writing to the Minister for Health asking him to urgently address this issue. He can’t stand idly by and allow this neglect to continue.”
