Renewed hospital contract could see dental waiting times decline in South-East region
Orthodontics is a specific branch of dentistry, and it is not clear whether tooth extraction linked to decay — as was Tiernan Power-Murphy’s situation — will be included. Picture: Dan Linehan
The HSE is renewing a lapsed dental contract with a private hospital in the South-East in the wake of public outrage over a 10-year treatment delay for an autistic boy in Waterford.
Tiernan Power-Murphy’s father shared the family's frustrations in the last week. The boy has since been offered an appointment for teeth extractions under general anaesthetic in Cork University Dental Hospital.
Now, this latest move by the HSE, means some dental patients in the South-East could see reduced waiting times.
A spokesman for the HSE Dublin South East health region said “a small proportion” of children need general anaesthetic for dental treatment, and this is only safely provided in hospitals.
Dentists familiar with the situation last week shared concerns that an arrangement between the HSE and Aut Even private hospital had lapsed.
On Monday the spokesman said the regional orthodontics service has been looking at general anaesthetic access locally.
“We are currently in the process of renewing a service level agreement with Aut Even private hospital in Kilkenny to provide this service. It is anticipated that arrangements will be in place shortly,” he said.
Orthodontics is a specific branch of dentistry, and it is not clear whether tooth extraction linked to decay — as was Tiernan’s situation — will be included.
Irish Dental Association CEO Fintan Hourihan said this needs to be clarified.
"What is common to both areas of dental care is the need for dentists and their patients to be given greater priority to theatre sessions in hospitals for patients requiring general anaesthetic," he said.
Meanwhile, a dentist who frequently works with patients who have special needs warned the structure for accessing general anaesthetic “is collapsing”.
Dr Gillian Smith in Bray, Co Wicklow, said their receptionist takes calls daily from families in similar crisis as the Power-Murphys.
“In the last month, we had four or five adult cases like that and I turn away some kids because I don’t have general anaesthetic services," she said.
She warned people are living in pain. “Children and adults are self-harming. They are taking repeated courses of antibiotics and pain-killers,” she said.
“There is just no openings, no access to the services if you need a general anaesthetic for dental treatment for whatever reason — whether it is behaviour, anxiety, or a complex medical history. The services are on their knees.”
Dr Smith, a member of the Irish Dental Association, said the problem is not confined to the South-East.
“It’s not a reflection on individual dentists in the HSE, there are some brilliant dentists working in a very broken system," she said.
Access to hospitals is challenging, she pointed out, saying: "[Dentists] are not recognised as consultants, so they can’t fight for a general anaesthetic list within a hospital environment.”
Tiernan’s father Eamon welcomed the emergency appointment his son received, but called last week for a system overhaul.
“I hope this isn’t a one off thing now," he said. "I hope they keep pushing to get the other kids sorted, in other families. I hope they don’t take their foot off the gas now."
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