Autistic Waterford boy ‘in great form’ after delayed dental appointment but many more still waiting

Tiernan Power-Murphy with his parents Avril and Eamon at home in Bunmahon, Co Waterford in February when the family spoke out to the 'Irish Examiner' about 10-year waiting list he was on. Picture: Dan Linehan

The father of an autistic boy from Waterford who only got a dental appointment after intervention from the Taoiseach has welcomed changes made by the HSE to cut waiting times, but he warned other families still face long delays.

Seven-year-old Tiernan Power Murphy was faced with a wait of up to 10 years for a dental appointment.

His toothache had started in October, and it was so bad he missed school.

Like many autistic people, Tiernan needs to be sedated while having dental treatment.

After his frustrated father, Eamon, went public about the delays in the 'Irish Examiner' in February, Taoiseach Micheál Martin pledged action. 

Within days, Tiernan was sent to Cork for the specialist care he needed.

This weekend, his dad Eamon said: 

Tiernan is flying it now, thank God. He is in great form. 

"He went to Cork, and they were lovely to him. He was sedated, and it took about 20 or 25 minutes altogether.”

However, Tiernan still remembers the pain.

“He lost his front teeth, and he was petrified the pain was coming back. He was saying: ‘No pain, no pain,’” Eamon said.

Eamon welcomed news that the HSE Dublin South-East opened a clinic for patients with special needs in April at a private hospital in Kilkenny. However, he said: 

I know of another child near here who’s having the same problems, they’re waiting. 

He is aware this child was given a dental appointment for October just last week.

Principal of Mount Sion primary school Catherine Whelan, where Tiernan is a pupil, shares Eamon’s mixed feelings.

She is aware of “many parents” waiting for dental care for vulnerable children.

“The waiting lists are huge,” she said. “I’ve had children waiting six months, a year. It’s dire.”

Ms Whelan, who is also a local Sinn Féin councillor, welcomed the changes.

“Now, some families are getting appointments two or three months down the road. 

That is progress, that is an improvement, but two to three months waiting is a long time for a child in pain. 

The HSE Dublin South-East said it opened an agreement with Aut Even Hospital on April 10. This is for patients with special needs who need dental treatment under general anaesthetic.

The clinic runs once a month and dentists can see up to eight patients, a spokeswoman said.

“The dental service has had three general anaesthetic sessions with five patients per session accommodated,” she said, adding that more clinics are scheduled.

A review of orthodontic services in the South-East continues, and she could not say when this will conclude.

This region also continues to send adults and children who need general anaesthetic for dental care to Cork University Dental Hospital.

Last year, dentists in Waterford and Wexford referred 239 patients to Cork for this treatment. Some 175 have been sent so far this year. This region also covers South Tipperary, Carlow, and Kilkenny.

Dentists in those counties sent 280 patients last year and 222 this year.