HSE to hire more dentists after 'unacceptable' delay in care for autistic boy in Waterford

Seven-year-old Tiernan Power Murphy (centre) with his parents Avril (left) and Eamon who spoke out about their son's months of pain in February. Picture: Dan Linehan

Delays in dental care for an autistic boy in Waterford were “unacceptable” and dentists are now being hired to address gaps, HSE regional officer for the southeast has told the Irish Examiner.

Tiernan Power Murphy, aged 7, =was told of a 10-year wait for specialist dental care as he needs to go under general anaesthetic. After his father spoke out about his months of pain in February, the little boy was given an appointment at Cork dental school within days instead.

Martina Queally, regional executive officer for the HSE Dublin and South East region, said of his case: “That’s not acceptable.

“We’ve made a start now in terms of re-establishing that kind of anaesthetic cover. Our pathway with Cork remains important but we do not want to see that situation arising for a child.” 

The region has now appointed four new general dental surgeons for children, she said, adding: “We found some of those posts had been vacant.”

Tiernan Power Murphy (right) with his mother Avril. He had originally been told of a 10-year wait for specialist dental care as he needs to go under general anaesthetic. Picture Dan Linehan

Two are expected to work across Wexford, one in Waterford and one across Carlow and Kilkenny.

Ms Queally could not say yet when exactly they start work as each dentist typically has to give notice in their current post and go through HSE vetting processes.

This can take between one and three months depending on their current location, she added.

“Those four posts are critical because they are the frontline dentists who see and treat many of the children we’re talking about,” she said.

“We have also re-established a contract with Aut Even (private hospital) for children requiring general anaesthesia because that was an issue brought to my attention in the region.” 

She confirmed this is a monthly clinic, as previously reported in this newspaper.

Children from this region with more complex conditions continue to be sent to Cork University Dental School. “There are some waiting lists there,” Ms Queally said.

Martina Queally: 'We’ve made a start now in terms of re-establishing that kind of anaesthetic cover.'

“But we will be working our way through those to make sure any patient on that list is actually requiring that level of treatment.” 

The new dentists will form part of what she called “a stepped model of care”. New orthodontics services are available at the recently-opened St Otteran’s Complex at John’s Hill in Waterford, for example.

“Now there’s a lot of work to be done, we’re conscious of that,” she said. Ms Queally spoke to the Irish Examiner during the HSE Integrated Care Conference in Dublin.