‘Oral health crisis’ as up to 10,000 children await dental treatment

The Irish Dental Association (IDA) has written to the Taoiseach urging a cross-departmental response “to the oral health crisis” at a time when upwards of 10,000 children are waiting more than a year for orthodontic treatment.

Of these, 4,362 are deemed “grade V” which includes children with difficulties chewing and swallowing and defects of cleft lip and palate.

As many as 154 grade V patients are waiting more than four years.