Disabled left without dental service

THOUSANDS of disabled adults in the south have been unable to have a basic dental check-up for more than six months — and there is no sign of their dental scheme being resurrected.

Dental problems are more prevalent amongst the intellectually disabled and general anaesthetics are required to complete the smallest procedures as many such patients are scared or physically incapable of sitting still in the dental chair.

Due to the withdrawal of the full general anaesthetic service at the UCC School of Dentistry at Cork University Hospital, the group can’t even have their teeth examined, cleaned or fillings completed.