'Crisis' as over 7,000 Laois teenagers unseen on primary dental scheme

The school dental scheme is in ‘crisis’ with over 7,000 teenagers now waiting to see a primary school dentist in Laois, it’s been claimed.  

Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley said the situation regarding the school dental scheme in Laois has now reached 'crisis levels.’

A reply to a Parliamentary Question he received highlights what he says is  “the crisis situation’’ regarding the school dental scheme across the county. 

“There are a total of 7,397 teenagers on the waiting list to see a primary school dentist. These young people have not seen a school dentist or even received an examination under the School Dental Scheme,” said Deputy Stanley. 

“Under the School Dental Scheme children are meant to be seen in 2nd and 4th class in primary school, and this has been the practice going back over a number of decades. However, all those within the category mentioned above are in secondary school. Some of these teenagers are about to enter their final year in secondary school,’’ he said. 

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“I have been raising this dire situation in Laois on a regular basis with the HSE and successive Health Ministers, including Leo Varadkar when he was Health Minister. The HSE have increased the number of Dentists dedicated to the Laois School Dental Scheme from 1.2 to 3.2 whole time equivalent (equivalent to three full time positions and a 4th person working one day per week),” explained Deputy Stanley. 

“The HSE have had two recruitment campaigns in the last nine months, the most recent being three weeks ago to try and fill these positions. However, they inform me these have been mainly unsuccessful in attracting suitable qualified candidates,” he said. 

“It is clear we need to train and recruit more people for positions as Dental Surgeons and currently this is not happening in sufficient numbers. The only way the chronic shortage in Dental Clinicians to work within these public schemes can be addressed on a long term basic, is through proper workforce planning. Clearly this has not been happening over the past 10 to 15 years,” claimed Deputy Stanley. 

“It is time for the Government and the Department of Health to get it’s act together,” he added. ’