1,200 children had to wait over 12 months for orthodontic treatment
MORE than 1,200 children in Dublin West have had to wait more than 12 months to receive orthodontic treatment, according to a parliamentary question posed to the HSE.
Nationally, more than 9,900 children with grade IV or V dental requirements under the age of 16 have waited more than 12 months.
Of the 9,900 children, 1,269 are in the Dublin West area, and 631 are Grade V patients.
Grade V includes severe dental deformities such as cleft lips and damaged palates, and in many cases these hinder the development of speech.
TD for Dublin Mid-West John Curran said: “Too many of our children are waiting inordinate amounts of time for treatment, and we are putting their future dental health and wellbeing at risk by having to wait.
“Early treatment delivers better outcomes in terms of speech, and it’s simply inconceivable that 606 of these children have been waiting between three and four years.”
He concluded: “In the long term, the State must commit to increasing capacity in the dental service to ensure that no child waits longer than six months for treatment.”
The Echo contacted the HSE for comment but did not receive a reply in time.
