At the end of last year, the HSE employed only 249 dentists, resulting in significant delays in dental care for children. Tens of thousands of children are at risk of untreated tooth decay because they are not receiving required dental screenings until their final year of primary school or later. The lack of dentists has created an access crisis, preventing timely screenings that should occur in second and fourth classes. These delays are jeopardizing the oral health of many children.
The number of dentists employed by the HSE at the end of last year was just 249, illustrating the severe shortage of dental professionals available to provide care.
Tens of thousands of children are at risk of untreated tooth decay and are not receiving timely dental screenings due to the dentist shortage, often until their last year of primary school.
Care delays are attributed to an access crisis, highlighting the failure to offer necessary dental screenings in second and fourth class as required.
Access to dental care is critically limited, resulting in ongoing delays and putting children's oral health at significant risk.
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