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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Children's dental screening

Summary

Deputy Kenny said the absence of basic school dental screening for many children is damaging oral health and reflects service downgrading. The Minister said extra funding and recruitment are under way and early intervention is a priority.

I know the Minister commented earlier on the Irish Dental Association, which has painted a stark picture of children's oral healthcare. It was before the Joint Committee on Health last year and will be again next week to address screening. More than 100,000 children did not get the basic screening in primary school. I remember, when I was growing up, a dentist coming three or four times during my primary schooling. Children not having this screening is having a detrimental effect on oral healthcare. This has been a downgrading of public service, particularly in dental healthcare. Can the Minister correct the wrong, particularly the shortage of public dentists?

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I thank Deputy Kenny for raising this. We addressed it in Leaders' Questions too. The Government is investing significantly in this. Additional funding was put in place in the budget last year. Up to 900 additional staff were being recruited across the services at the end of last year, which we hope will feed through into this important service. It is crucial that young people get intervention at an early age because it prevents problems down the line. It is something the Government is working on.

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