Children in 5-year wait for braces

IT APPEARS the HSE can’t catch up with the numbers of children languishing on waiting lists for orthodontic care across the country.

In parts of the country, children are still waiting up to five years for braces — as it can take years after assessment before treatment begins.

Even though a record 21,569 patients are undergoing treatment with the HSE, a total of 17,657 children are awaiting assessment for treatment or else awaiting treatment at clinics around the country.