Calls for HSE to review reduced dental services in Dublin West urgently

By Maurice Garvey

DENTAL staffing levels in Dublin West will be reduced by the HSE for the coming school year 2017/18.

Clondalkin Fianna Fáil John Curran has called on the HSE to review dental services in Dublin West as a matter of urgency.

“In a recent reply from the HSE to a parliamentary question I asked, I have learnt that the HSE intends to partially reinstate the Boot Road Clinic dental services, which is to be welcomed,” said Deputy Curran.

“However, it is of greater concern to learn that the HSE plans to significantly reduce dental services in Dublin West for the coming school year 2017/18.

“This is unacceptable considering that dental services in the Clondalkin Boot Road Clinic will not be fully reinstated, yet the HSE plans to reduce staffing levels and dental services further across other clinics in Dublin West.”

He continued: “This is not good enough and does not provide the children of Dublin West with sufficient local dental services. Dental services in the entire area of Clondalkin must be reviewed as Deansrath is without dental services also.

“I am calling on the HSE to seriously look into the area of Dublin West as its dental services in Clondalkin, Ballyfermot, Rowlagh and Deansrath remain compromised while vacancies have not yet been filled and their plans to further reduce services in the area seem arbitrary.”

The HSE said two dentists were recruited for the area to replace the dentists who resigned, and two dentists remain on maternity leave until June/July 2017.

The additional two dentists who were on maternity leave have returned on reduced time due to parental leave