Children wait up to three years for dental care

Schoolchildren are being denied vital dentist treatment for as long as three years because of HSE cutbacks and chronic staff shortages, senior politicians have been told.

Speaking at the latest cross-party Oireachtas health committee meeting, officials from the Irish Dental Association warned that children’s health is being put at risk because of ongoing service shortfalls.

According to the representative body, children should be seen for public check ups at least three times during their school-going years.