Dental patients 'suffering' due to cutbacks

The union representing dentists has said staff shortages in the public health sector are affecting patient care.

Addressing the Irish Dentist Association's meeting last night, the union's new president Dr Andrew Bolas revealed that 20,000 children are waiting up to five years to see an orthodontist.

Dr Bolas said the system is faltering under government cutbacks, with 28 public dentists who retired in February still not replaced.

He also said patients are suffering as a result of this moratorium.