More than 100K Children in Ireland Missed Dental Check-ups

IRELAND: More than 100,000 children across the country missed out on vital school dental check-ups last year. This alarming statistic has ignited concerns among dental professionals about the potential rise in tooth decay and long-term dental problems among young individuals.

Shortage of Public Dentists Exacerbating the Issue

The root cause of this crisis lies in the shortage of at least 75 public dentists employed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Due to the ongoing recruitment embargo, only 104,488 out of the 208,233 eligible children received the mandatory dental screenings in second, fourth, and sixth classes of primary school.

Over 100K Irish Children Denied School Dental Screenings

Carlow dentist Caroline Robins, a former president of the Irish Dental Association (IDA), emphasizes the critical importance of these screenings, stating:

“We are missing the most valuable period when children should be screened, when new teeth are coming and when we can educate them and their parents on good brushing, foods and snacking. It is a golden window of six to seven years.”

Long-term Consequences of Missed Screenings

The failure to identify and address dental issues during this crucial developmental stage can have far-reaching consequences for children’s oral health. As Dr. Robins explains:

“A child’s first adult teeth come through when they are about six. Dental decay is preventable. But once it starts, then it is dentistry for the rest of their life. It is not like a broken arm that heals. They now have dental disease that requires attention, maintenance and re-do for the rest of their life. We are playing catch-up and putting out a fire.”

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Concerning Trend and Calls for Action

The number of public dentists has decreased by 23% between 2006 and 2022, resulting in fewer children being screened now than before the pandemic. Fintan Hourihan, chief executive of the IDA, accuses the HSE of failing to deliver on its duty, citing a 31% increase in missed appointments since before the pandemic.

“There is huge uncertainty over the service as the Government appears to be suggesting that children should be seen by private dentists, 90% of whom say the priority should in fact be on rebuilding the public dental service,” Hourihan stated.

The IDA and dental professionals are calling for urgent action to address the shortage of public dentists and ensure that every child has access to essential dental care, preventing a generation from facing lifelong dental problems.